IFOSFAMIDE IN THE TREATMENT OF RELAPSED LYMPHOMA

Since 1977 ifosfamide has been used for the treatment of relapsed or r efractory non-Hodgkin's and Hodgkin's lymphoma. Early phase I/II trial s showed efficacy of the drug in patients previously treated with cycl ophosphamide. Because of a suggested lack of cross-resistance towards cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide has been used in numerous regimens. Ifosf amide showed clearly efficacy in relapsed lymphoma with response rates between 50 and 70%, Nevertheless, the use of the drug did not show an y improvement of long-term survival in this group of patients. Because of its proven efficacy in relapsed lymphoma, ifosfamide is likewise u sed in newer high-dose chemotherapy protocols followed by autologous s tem cell transplantation and in continuous infusion schedules.