MOPP regimen

The MOPP regimen is a combination chemotherapy protocol used historically for treating lymphoma, particularly Hodgkin lymphoma. It consists of four drugs: - **M**: Mechlorethamine (nitrogen mustard, mustine, Mustargen) - **O**: Oncovin (vincristine) - **P**: Procarbazine - **P**: Prednisone Developed at the National Cancer Institute in the 1960s, MOPP was revolutionary as the first combination regimen to achieve high success rates (over 70% cure rates for advanced Hodgkin disease) for a previously nearly incurable cancer. Its success established the paradigm of combination chemotherapy. The regimen is typically administered in four-week cycles for six cycles. Standard dosing involves Mechlorethamine and Vincristine intravenously on days 1 and 8, and Procarbazine and Prednisone orally daily on days 1-14. Despite its efficacy, MOPP has significant toxicities including a high risk of secondary cancers, permanent sterility, alopecia, skin sensitivity, and gastrointestinal issues. Due to these side effects, it has largely been replaced by less toxic regimens like ABVD. Today, MOPP is rarely used as first-line therapy but may be considered for relapsed disease or in patients unable to tolerate newer regimens. Variations like C-MOPP (cyclophosphamide replacing mechlorethamine) exist and are used in other lymphoma types.

Other names

MOPP chemotherapyMOPP protocol