High-dose ifosfamide and mesna in advanced breast cancer. A phase II study

Thirty-two patients with metastatic breast cancer had previously been treated with chemotherapy (including anthracyclines). They were included in a trial to receive 6 g/m3 ifosfamide, mixed with 6 g/m2 mesna in 1000 ml saline infusion, infused over 4 h. Therapy was repeated every 21 days; the dose was reduced by 50%. Twenty-eight patients could be evaluated. An average of 4.2 cycles (range 2-8) was applied. One patient (4%) showed complete remission. Ten patients (36%) had a partial response. Ten patients (36%) experienced SD and the remaining patients (25%) PD. We conclude that high-dose ifosfamide shows activity in this group of pretreated patients and merits further investigation.