Ifosfamide in pediatric solid tumors.
Phase II studies conducted in Europe and the USA on pediatric solid tumors have shown that ifosfamide, as a single agent, is an active drug against a variety of neoplasms - rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), some non-RMS soft tissue sarcomas, Wilms' tumor, bone sarcomas and neuroblastoma. Furthermore, an increase in tumor response rate has been observed when ifosfamide has been used in combination with other drugs. The usual dose of ifosfamide varies from 1.8 to 3 g/m(2)/day for 2-5 days according to the different regimens. Some controversies still exist on the modality of drug administration and more precisely on the time of infusion, however in pediatric practice, short infusion (e.g. 3 h) is usually preferred because of the reduced neurotoxicity in comparison to lengthier administration (e.g. 24 h). Ifosfamide is currently included in the standard therapy of pediatric bone and soft tissue sarcomas. It is also used in a selected high-risk group of patients with Wilms' tumor, neuroblastoma and germ cell tumors.
Division of Haematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Padova, Italy. modesto.carli@unipd.it
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Perilongo
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D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D002648:Child; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018237:Germinoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007069:Ifosfamide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D012516:Osteosarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D012208:Rhabdomyosarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D012512:Sarcoma, Ewing / Q000188:drug therapy; D009396:Wilms Tumor / Q000188:drug therapy
D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D007069:Ifosfamide