Twin‐track studies of ifosfamide and mitoxantrone (I‐M) in recurrent high grade non‐hodgkin's lymphoma and hodgkin's disease

Fifty-seven patients, initially diagnosed as having advanced high grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) or Hodgkin's disease (HD) refractory to first-line treatment or in relapse, were treated with ifosfamide 6 g/m2, infused over 48 h, followed by mitoxantrone 12 mg/m2. The regimen repeated at three-weekly intervals. Of 33 patients with NHL evaluable for response, 10 (30 per cent) achieved complete remission and six partial remission, giving an overall response rate of 48 per cent. Two patients subsequently went on to bone marrow transplant (BMT)—one allogeneic and the other autologous. Of 18 patients with HD evaluable for response, seven (39 per cent) achieved complete remission and six partial remission, giving an overall response rate of 72 per cent. Two of this group also went on to BMT (both autografts). The principal toxicity was neutropenia, though central nervous system changes were observed in 10 patients. The possibility of increasing the safety of the regimen by increasing the time of infusion to 72 h is discussed. Given the need to offer alternative treatment to patients in these categories, this combination (I-M) is of value in relapsed patients, especially where options are limited because of previous multi-drug treatment. Remissions may not be prolonged but allow the effective application of additional intensive treatment including bone marrow transplantation.