Ifosfamide Health Article

Definition

Ifosfamide is an anticancer (antineoplastic) agent. It also acts as a suppressor of the immune system. It is available under the brand name IFEX.

Purpose

Ifosfamide is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat germ cell testicular cancer. It is generally prescribed in combination with another medicine (mesna), which is used to prevent the bladder problems that may be caused by ifosfamide alone.

Ifosfamide also has activity against other cancers and is prescribed in practice for these cancer types:

• pancreatic cancer
• stomach cancer
• soft-tissue sarcoma
• Ewing's sarcoma
• acute and chronic lymphocytic leukemia
• bladder cancer
• bone cancer
• breast cancer
• cervical cancer
• head and neck cancers
• lung cancer
• lymphomas
• neuroblastomas
• ovarian cancer
• Wilms' tumor

Description

Ifosfamide chemically interferes with the synthesis of the genetic material (DNA and RNA) of cancer cells by cross-linking of DNA strands, which prevents these cells from being able to reproduce and continue the growth of the cancer.

Recommended dosage

Ifosfamide may only be taken as an injection into the vein. The dosage prescribed varies widely depending on the patient, the cancer being treated, and whether or not other medications are also being taken. Examples of common doses for adults are: 50 mg per kg per day, or 700 to 2000 mg per square meter of body surface area for five days every three to four weeks. Another alternative regimen is 2400 mg per square meter of body surface area for three days or 5000 mg per square meter of body surface area as a single dose every three to four weeks. Examples of common dosing regimens for children are: 1200 to 1800 mg per square meter of body surface area per day for three to five days every 21 to 28 days; 5000 mg per square meter of body surface area once every 21 to 28 days; or 3000 mg per square meter of body surface area for two days every 21 to 28 days.