BEACOPP is the name of a combination of chemotherapy drugs used to treat Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It is made up of the drugs
B = BleomycinE = Etoposide
A = Doxorubicin (also called Adriamycin)
C = Cyclophosphamide
O = Vincristine (also called Oncovin)
P = Procarbazine
P = Prednisone (a steroid)
Bleomycin
Bleomycin is a type of antibiotic that is poisonous to cells. It binds to the cancer cells’ DNA so that the cells cannot divide or grow. It also causes ‘free radicals’ to be made inside the body. Free radicals are hyperactive oxygen atoms that damage DNA.Etoposide
It works by blocking an enzyme called topoisomerase 2 which is necessary for a cell to divide and so grow into 2 new cells. If this enzyme is blocked, the cell's DNA gets tangled up and the cell cannot divide.
Doxorubicin (Adriamycin)
One way that it works is by blocking an enzyme called topoisomerase 2 that the cancer cells need in order to divide and grow.
Cyclophosphamide
It works by sticking to one of the cancer cell's DNA strands so the cell can't divide into 2 new cells.
Vincristine (Oncovin)
It works by stopping cancer cells separating into two new cells. So it blocks the growth of the cancer.
Procarbazine
It disrupts the growth of cancer cells by stopping the cells from making proteins and DNA. Cancer cells need to make proteins and DNA so they can grow and multiply
Steroids (Prednisolone)
There are a number of reasons why you may need to take steroids for cancer. You might have them:
To treat the cancer itself, often alongside chemotherapy treatment
To reduce inflammation
To reduce your immune response, for example, after a transplant
To help relieve sickness when having chemotherapy
To help increase your appetite
Most people who have steroids as part of cancer treatment only need to take them for a few days or weeks (short term).
Common side effects
With these drugs, many people have a temporary drop in the number of blood cells made by the bone marrow, leading to the following side effects;
Increased risk of getting an infection from a drop in white blood cells - it is harder to fight infections and you can become very ill. You may have headaches, aching muscles, a cough, sore throat, pain passing urine or feel cold and shivery. Tiredness and breathlessness due to a drop in red blood cells (anaemia)
Bruising more easily due to a drop in platelets - you may have nosebleeds, bleeding gums after brushing your teeth, or lots of tiny red spots or bruises on your arms or legs (known as petechia).
These effects on your bone marrow can begin about 7 days after each treatment and usually go back to normal after about 21 to 28 days. Some of these side effects can be life threatening, particularly infections. You should contact your doctor if you have any of these side effects. Your doctor will check your blood counts regularly to see how well your bone marrow is working
Other common side effects include
Fatigue during and after treatment - most people find their energy levels are back to normal within 6 months to a yearFeeling or being very sick affects up to 2 out of 10 people (20%), but is usually well controlled with anti sickness drugs
Hair loss occurs in up to 8 out of 10 people (80%) but will grow back once the treatment ends
Women may stop having periods (amenorrhoea) but this may be temporary
Sensitivity to sunlight - don’t sit out in the sun, and cover up or use sun block on exposed skin
Brown skin markings may occur, following the line of the vein where the chemotherapy was injected
Brittle, chipped and ridged nails may occur but this will grow out once the treatment has ended
Gritty eyes, blurred vision or watery eyes may occur
Loss of fertility - we don’t know exactly how these drugs affect fertility so do talk with your doctor before starting treatment if this is important to you
Some people may have one or more of the following side effects
A sore mouth affects up to 8 out of 100 people (8%) and may be severe
Numbness or tingling in fingers and toes affects about 1 in 20 people (5%) and can cause difficulty with small tasks such as doing up buttons - it may start a few days or weeks after the beginning of treatment and usually gradually goes within a few months of treatment ending
Inflammation of the lungs - let your doctor know if you have a dry cough, breathlessness, chest pain or a high temperature
Damage to heart muscle - this is usually temporary but for a small number of people may be permanent. Your doctor will check your heart before and after your treatment
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