Ifosfamide in hematological malignancies of adults.

Ifosfamide is an alkylating agent with a broad spectrum of activity in solid tumors and hematological malignancies. In this review we will illustrate its use in the treatment of lymphomas and Hodgkin's disease and the results of the principal studies which have investigated ifosfamide-containing regimens. Ifosfamide has been mainly used, in combination with other drugs, as a component of salvage regimens for relapsed or primarily refractory lymphoma. These regimens induced a variable clinical response rate (complete remissions ranging from 6 up to 73% and overall response rate from 24 to 72%). High-dose ifosfamide, in combination with etoposide or mitoxantrone, showed a good potential for mobilization of peripheral stem cells while reducing the tumor burden. Ifosfamide-based regimens are also being evaluated in the treatment of newly diagnosed patients in sequential, response-based protocols, using many non-cross-resistant drugs.