A preliminary report of ifosfamide, etoposide combination in the treatment of recurrent or resistant malignant solid tumors of childhood

Abstract

Twelve children with recurrent or resistant malignant solid tumors were treated with the combination of ifosfamide, etoposide and the uroprotector mesna and/or surgery and/or radiotherapy. A total of 96 courses were administered. Following the first two cycles response evaluation was made in seven patients who received chemotherapy only; one complete response, five stable disease, one progressive disease. In the remaining five patients where chemotherapy+surgery+radiotherapy were used from the initation of treatment, complete response was achieved. The median duration of complete remission was 9 months in six patients received chemotherapy. Grade 3 and 4 toxicity observed in these 96 included, neutropenia (52/96), anemia (16/96), thrombocytopenia (4/96), nausea and vomiting (4196), nephrotoxicity (2/96), alopecia (96/96), allergy after VP-16 infusion (1/96) and neurotoxicity (2/96). There were no deaths due to toxicity. Ifosfamide and etoposide combination with surgery and/or radiotherapy seems to be effective and tolerable in recurrent or resistant pediatric solid tumors.