title: Ifosfamide-based chemotherapy in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal cancer: evaluation of its role as neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
abstract: The use of Ifosfamide-based chemotherapy in primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), in neoadjuvant settings [NACT] has not been sufficiently evaluated. We present here a retrospective analysis of 78 patients of untreated, locoregionally advanced NPC patients who received Ifosfamide-Cisplatin-based NACT at our institute from 1997 to 2004. Definitive treatment comprised radical radiotherapy (RT) or concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) using weekly Cisplatin. Post-NACT, 92% patients had a partial response (PR) while 3% had a complete locoregional response (CR). The rates of CR increased to 87% after completion of definitive treatment. With follow up (38 months), 29% patients developed recurrent/persistent disease. The local and locoregional control rates at 5 years were 76% and 73%, respectively. The 5-year overall survival (OAS) was 80% and disease-free survival was 65%. Grade III or more neutropenia was seen in 15%. Results of Ifosfamide-Cisplatin combination as a NACT in advanced NPC have been quite encouraging and need to be exploited further.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Tata Memorial Center, Dr. E. Borges Road, Parel, Mumbai 400012, Maharashtra, India. sarbanilaskar@yahoo.co.in
authors.forename: Sarbani
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ghosh-Laskar
authors.forename: Jai Prakash
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Agarwal
authors.forename: Pranshu
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mohindra
authors.forename: Manju
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sengar
authors.forename: Shilpa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vyas
authors.forename: V R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Pai
authors.forename: Ashwini
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Budrukkar
authors.forename: Prathamesh
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pai
authors.forename: Anil K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: D'Cruz
authors.forename: Ketayun Ardeshir
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Dinshaw
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007069:Ifosfamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002945:Cisplatin; D007069:Ifosfamide