Experience of the Belgian Society of Medical Oncology with single-administration 5 g/m2 ifosfamide with mesna as second- or third-line therapy in advanced breast cancer

Abstract

In an ongoing phase II trial conducted in advanced breast cancer, we tested a therapy schedule consisting of continuous, 24-h infusion of 5 g/m2 ifosfamide (IFO) in 3 1 dextrose saline with mesna (MSN), repeated every 3 weeks until disease progression. Since September 1988, 16 heavily pretreated patients with advanced disease (11 with visceral lesions) considered refractory to standard chemotherapy (regimens always including cyclophosphamide) have been included. Objective partial remissions were observed in two cases (one in liver and one in soft-tissue and pleural lesions), and disease stabilization for at least 3 months occurred in four cases. No treatment-related death was recorded and tolerance was judged to be excellent (six cases) or acceptable in all instances. The haematological toxicity consisted mainly of transient leucopenia (nadirs evaluated by WHO scale as grade 3 in 43% and grade 4 in 29%), sometimes associated with thrombocytopenia (grade 3 in 7% and grade 4 in 7%). Other side effects included nausea and/or vomiting (grade 3-4 in 33%); worsening of preexisting alopecia (five cases); haemorrhagic cystitis (one case); mild, transient somnolence (two cases); and moderate fluid retention (two cases). We concluded that infusion of 5 g/m2 IFO over 24 h with MSN rescue might represent an acceptable second- or third-line salvage regimen. Close monitoring of haematological and renal function parameters is recommended. A larger number of patients will be treated in a continuation of this study to evaluate the true response rate within narrower confidence limits.

Ifosfamide in combination with paclitaxel or doxorubicin: regimens which effectively mobilize peripheral blood progenitor cells while demonstrating anti-tumor activity in patients with metastatic breast cancer

“…These response rates are comparable to other studies utilizing ifosfamide in combination chemotherapy in MBC. 16,[20][21][22][23] Although there was a better response in the ifosfamide-doxorubicin group (75% vs 23%; P = 0.0046), the pre-treatment characteristics in the paclitaxel group were worse.…”

“…18,19 Thirdly, in clinical studies, ifosfamide has demonstrated efficacy in advanced breast carcinoma. 16,[20][21][22][23] Although to date there is no conclusive evidence that ifosfamide is superior to cyclophosphamide in the treatment of breast cancer, taken together, we believed it rational to use ifosfamide-based mobilization in our cohort of heavily pre-treated patients.…”