Ifosfamide, mitomycin and radiotherapy in non-small-cell lung cancer

Ifosfamide and mitomycin C are two of the more active single agents in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study evaluates these drugs in combination followed by radiotherapy. A total of 33 ambulatory patients with inoperable NSCLC were treated with 5 g/m2 ifosfamide as a 24-h infusion, with the concurrent administration of sodium 2-mercaptoethane sulphonate (mesna; 160% of the ifosfamide dose) and 6 mg/m2 mitomycin C given as an i.v. bolus injection on the 2nd day. The median age of the patients was 61 years. In all, 20 patients had limited disease and 13, extensive disease. A total of 30 were assessable for response to chemotherapy, 8 of whom achieved a partial response (PR) and 5, a complete response (CR) (2 were verified bronchoscopically). The overall response rate was thus 43%. All but one response (a PR) were in patients with limited disease (LD). A total of 21 patients, including 13 responders, received thoracic irradiation (30 Gy in 8 fractions over 10 days) following chemotherapy. One PR was converted to a radiological CR. In all, 17 (55%) of the patients were alive at 1 year. All patients suffered chemotherapy-induced alopecia (WHO grade 3), but there were no treatment modifications due to myelosuppression, haemorrhagic cystitis or other toxicity. WHO grade 3 nausea and vomiting were seen in all patients. There was one treatment-related death. Combination therapy using ifosfamide and mitomycin C has useful activity in NSCLC.