Ifosfamide: new idications-new dose strength. Limited evidence of effectiveness.

In three new approved indications (non Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia) and in three previously existing indications (ovarian cancer, soft tissue sarcomas and osteogenic sarcomas), non comparative trials show that ifosfamide can induce tumour regression in patients who relapse after a first course of chemotherapy (sometimes containing cyclophosphamide). But clinical assessment has not yet formally demonstrated that this leads to a significant increase in survival time and/or quality of life, mainly because of toxicity. In cervical cancer, a new indication, a comparative trial shows higher tumour response rates with the ifosfamide + cisplatin combination than with cisplatin alone. However, the greater toxicity of the combination and the lack of any increase in survival must both be taken into account. In breast cancer and lung cancer comparative trials show no difference in efficacy between cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide, while toxicity may be worse with ifosfamide. Ifosfamide has no specific value in these approved indications. The same applied to ENT cancer, against which ifosfamide seems to have little activity.