ICE - an efficient drug combination for stem cell mobilization and high-dose treatment of malignant lymphoma

Between 1989 and 1999 we studied the ICE regimen in sequential trials in 29 0 patients: with malignant lymphoma and germ-cell rumours. For patients wit h relapsed or refractory lymphoma we could demonstrate a comparable efficac y of ICE to other high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) regimens but with a toxicit y profile in favour of ICE. From a retrospective comparative analysis of IC E as HDCT regimen in patients with malignant lymphoma and germ-cell rumours we conclude that the characteristic toxicity profile of ICE varies dependi ng on prior drug exposure of individual patients. Further dose intensificat ion of ICE may be achieved with acceptable toxicity by adding further drugs (e.g. anthracyclines) or by treatment with sequential cycles of ICE (Tande m-HDCT). More convenient drug formulations (e.g. etoposide phosphate) might further improve the therapeutic index of ICE.