Ifosfamide in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer

Thirteen single-agent and 23 combination chemotherapeutic regimen trials using ifosfamide involving 1,326 evaluable patients with non-small cell lung cancer were reviewed. From these studies, several conclusions can be drawn: (1) ifosfamide as a single agent shows response rates greater than 20%; (2) in combination with cisplatin, with or without a third drug, ifosfamide induces response rates of 38%; however, survival is not increased significantly; (3) other combinations with ifosfamide have a response rate greater than 35%; and (4) ifosfamide warrants continued evaluation and testing in combination with other effective agents.