Ifosfamide and mesna

Article Abstract:

Ifosfamide is a synthetic analog or form of the anticancer agent cyclophosphamide, and was recently approved for use in treating metastatic germ-cell testicular cancer, a malignancy of the testis. When ifosfamide is metabolized, its breakdown products cause hemorrhagic cystitis, or inflammation of the bladder associated with bleeding. Consequently ifosfamide is given with a sulfur and hydrogen compound called mesna, which acts to detoxify the breakdown products of ifosfamide. When ifosfamide was combined with the anticancer agents cisplatin, etoposide or vinblastine, it produced complete remission in 12 of 56 patients with germ-cell cancer and 46 patients with cancer of the testis. Survival after complete remission ranged from 18 to 53 months, with seven patients remaining disease-free for up to two years. Ifosfamide has been effective in small-cell and non-small-cell lung cancer, soft tissue sarcoma, osteosarcoma, lymphoma, cervical cancer, and other malignancies of the genital organs. Ifosfamide has toxic effects on the urinary tract, kidneys, blood, central nervous system, and gastrointestinal tract. The recommended doses of this anticancer agent are discussed. When used with other anticancer agents, ifosfamide can produce complete remission in some patients with germ-cell cancer of the testis. It should be given with mesna to decrease toxic effects on the bladder. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Testicular cancer

---

Phase II trial of ifosfamide and mesna in patients with advanced or recurrent squamous carcinoma of the cervix who had never received chemotherapy: a Gynecologic Oncology Group study

Article Abstract:

The efficacy of the drug ifosfamide in the treatment of cervical cancer remains unclear. Of 51 patients with cervical cancer who had never received chemotherapy, 28 had previously had surgery and 46 had had radiation therapy. Patients took ifosfamide every day for five days and were injected with mesna three times a day. Two patients, both of whom had undergone surgery and radiation therapy, responded completely to treatment with ifosfamide. One patient responded after six courses of treatment and the other responded after 12. Another six patients, all of whom had had radiotherapy, partially responded to ifosfamide treatment after an average of 4.5 courses of therapy. Further studies on the use of ifosfamide in combination with other drugs are needed.

---

Expanded pelvic radiotherapy fields for treatment of local-regionally advanced carcinoma of the cervix: outcome and complications

Article Abstract:

Enlarged fields of radiation may be used to treat cervical cancer without causing significant complications. Researchers used expanded pelvic radiation fields to treat advanced cervical cancer in 38 women. The expanded pelvic radiation fields were successful at curing women of cancer without adverse side effects. Four-year survival rates were 76% for stage IIB cervical cancer and 53% for stage III. The crude failure rate was 18%. Cancer recurred more quickly in patients with cancer-positive lymph nodes. Abdominal lymph node dissection may improve cancer treatments by exposing more tissue at risk to radiation. Standard radiation field treatments may now be expanded to enable coverage of a larger volume of tissue at risk of cancer.

Complications and side effects, Radiotherapy

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Adapting the chronic disease model in the treatment of dually diagnosed patients. Organizational change required for paradigmatic shift in addiction treatment
• Abstracts: Antibody avidity measurement and immune complex dissociation for serological diagnosis of vertically acquired HIV-1 infection
• Abstracts: Reliability of sexual histories in heterosexual couples. Factors influencing condom use among heterosexual users of injection drugs and crack cocaine
• Abstracts: Herpes revisited: still a cause of concern. Report from the Washington office of the American Social Health Association
• Abstracts: Confidential health services for adolescents. Patient-physician confidentiality on trial in Turkey. Effect of Blinding and Unmasking on the Quality of Peer Review

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.