Ifosfamide in germ cell tumors.
Ifosfamide has always had significant single-agent activity in patients with germ cell tumors. We first began studies of cisplatin + ifosfamide combination chemotherapy as salvage chemotherapy in 1982. The regimen of etoposide (VP-16) + ifosfamide + cisplatin (VIP) was initially utilized as third-line chemotherapy. Even in this refractory setting, we were able to cure a small cohort of patients. Ifosfamide-cisplatin combination chemotherapy then became a standard second-line chemotherapy program, and achieved a 25% cure rate. Subsequent phase III studies compared VIP to bleomycin + etoposide + cisplatin (BEP) as initial chemotherapy. Although the results of the ifosfamide-based regimen were slightly better, there was no statistically significant difference and BEP was less toxic. However, for individual patients with concern for bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, VIP remains an attractive first-line regimen.
Division of Hematology/Oncology and Walther Cancer Institute, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. leinhorn@iupui.edu
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D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D018237:Germinoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007069:Ifosfamide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D007069:Ifosfamide