title: Ifosfamide combination regimens for soft-tissue sarcoma.
abstract: Two trials using ifosfamide-based combination chemotherapy for advanced soft-tissue sarcoma have been completed. In the first study, 50 evaluable patients received ifosfamide (5 g/m2) with mesna (5 g/m2) and doxorubicin (40 or 60 mg/m2) intravenously (i.v.) every 3 weeks. In all, 11 patients (22%) achieved an objective response [3 complete responses (CRs) and 8 partial responses (PRs)]. Toxicities included leukopenia, febrile neutropenia, nausea and vomiting, and alopecia. The overall median survival was 12 months. In the second study, 51 evaluable patients received ifosfamide (3 g/m2) with mesna (3 g/m2), both being given i.v. on day 1, together with etoposide (100 mg/m2) infused i.v. daily for 3 days. Six patients (12%) achieved objective responses (1 CR, 5 PRs). Toxicities included leukopenia, nausea and vomiting, and alopecia. The overall median survival was 7.4 months. Neither of these combination regimens appears to be more effective in advanced soft-tissue sarcoma than single-agent therapy with either ifosfamide or doxorubicin. If the results of chemotherapy in the management of these tumors are to be improved a new approach to therapy is clearly required.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology and Palliative Care, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stuart-Harris
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dalley
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Levi
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Simes
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wiltshaw
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007069:Ifosfamide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D015080:Mesna / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014570:Urologic Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D005047:Etoposide; D004317:Doxorubicin; D015080:Mesna; D007069:Ifosfamide