Ifosfamide in small cell lung cancer

Ifosfamide, an analogue of cyclophosphamide, has been proven to be of value in numerous malignancies, including testicular cancer, sarcoma, and lymphoma. Furthermore, ifosfamide is more suitable for combination chemotherapy than its parent compound because it causes less myelosuppression than cyclophosphamide. There have been only a few studies evaluating single-agent ifosfamide in small cell lung cancer (SCLC). In patients who have had little or no prior chemotherapy, ifosfamide appears as active as any single agent. Combination chemotherapy regimens employing cisplatin (or carboplatin) plus etoposide plus ifosfamide are currently under way on both sides of the Atlantic. A Hoosier Oncology Group (HOG) study will evaluate this three-drug regimen v cisplatin plus etoposide, and this protocol will establish or refute the value of ifosfamide as first-line therapy in extensive SCLC.