title: Ifosfamide in advanced carcinoma of the esophagus: a phase II trial with severe toxicity.
abstract: Seventeen patients with advanced epidermoid carcinoma of the esophagus were treated with ifosfamide (IFOS) 1.5 mg/m2/day intravenously on days 1-5 every 28 days. Mesna was given concurrently at 20% of the IFOS dose prior to and 4 and 8 h after IFOS for uroprotection. Toxicity in this trial was severe since life-threatening leukopenia occurred in one patient, Grade 3 nausea and vomiting (necessitating termination of treatment) in two patients, and Grade 3 neurotoxicity (cerebellar dysfunction) in two patients. Two patients developed severe infections (Grade 3). Only four patients experienced no toxicity. One patient had a partial response with a response duration of 8 weeks. The median survival of all patients is 10 weeks. It is concluded that IFOS as given in this trial has limited activity in esophagus carcinoma with severe toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, University of Pretoria, Republic of South Africa.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Ansell
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Alberts
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Falkson
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007069:Ifosfamide / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D015080:Mesna / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D015080:Mesna; D007069:Ifosfamide