Cyclophosphamide versus ifosfamide for paediatric and young adult bone and soft tissue sarcoma patients.
BACKGROUND
Alkylating agents, such as cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide, play a major role in the improved survival of children and young adults with bone and soft tissue sarcoma. However, there is still controversy as to their comparative anti-tumour efficacy and possible adverse effects.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the possible effectiveness of cyclophosphamide with that of ifosfamide for paediatric and young adult patients with sarcoma.


METHODS
We searched CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library 2008, issue 4), MEDLINE/PubMed (from 1966 to November 2008) and EMBASE/Ovid (from 1980 to November 2008) with pre-specified terms. In addition, we searched reference lists of relevant articles, conference proceedings and ongoing trial databases.


METHODS
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or controlled clinical trials (CCTs) comparing cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide for the treatment of different types of sarcoma in paediatric and young adult patients (aged less than 30 years at diagnosis). Chemotherapy other than either cyclophosphamide or ifosfamide should have been the same in both treatment groups.


METHODS
Two authors independently performed the study selection.


RESULTS
No studies meeting the inclusion criteria of the review were identified.


CONCLUSIONS
No RCTs or CCTs comparing the effectiveness of cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide in the treatment of bone and soft tissue sarcoma in children and young adults were identified. Therefore no definitive conclusions can be made about the effects of cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide in these patients. Based on the currently available evidence we are not able to give recommendations for clinical practice. More high quality research is needed.
Mulder
Renée L
RL
Paediatric Oncology, Emma Children's Hospital / Academic Medical Center, P.O. Box 22660, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1100 DD.
Paulides
Marios
M
Langer
Thorsten
T
Kremer
Leontien Cm
LC
van Dalen
Elvira C
EC
D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007069:Ifosfamide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D007069:Ifosfamide