Sarcomas are tumours that arise from bone and soft tissues. They can occur in all ages. As a result of the introduction of polychemotherapy, the survival of children and young adults with different types of sarcoma has improved dramatically. Alkylating agents, such as cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide, have played a major role in this improvement. However, in the literature there is still no consensus as to which chemotherapeutic agent is more effective. A well-informed decision on the use of cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide in the treatment of children and young adults diagnosed with a sarcoma should be based on high-quality evidence on both anti-tumour efficacy and adverse effects.
This systematic review focused on (ideally randomised) controlled studies. We found that there were no such studies comparing cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide in paediatric and young adult sarcoma patients. More high-quality research is needed.
Read the full abstract
Alkylating agents, such as cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide, play a major role in the improved survival of children and young adults with bone and soft tissue sarcoma. However, there is still controversy as to their comparative anti-tumour efficacy and possible adverse effects. This is the second update of the first systematic review evaluating the state of evidence on the effectiveness of cyclophosphamide as compared to ifosfamide for paediatric and young adult patients with sarcoma.
Objectives
The primary obective was to compare the effectiveness, that is response rate, event-free survival and overall survival, of cyclophosphamide with that of ifosfamide for paediatric and young adult patients with sarcoma. Secondary objectives were to determine effects of these agents on toxicities (including late effects) and quality of life.
Search strategy
We searched CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library 2015, issue 2), MEDLINE/PubMed (from 1966 to March 2015) and EMBASE/Ovid (from 1980 to March 2015) with prespecified terms. In addition, we searched reference lists of relevant articles, conference proceedings and ongoing trial databases (www.controlled-trials.com; searched June 2015).
Selection criteria
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or controlled clinical trials (CCTs) comparing cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide for the treatment of different types of sarcoma in paediatric and young adult patients (aged less than 30 years at diagnosis). Chemotherapy other than either cyclophosphamide or ifosfamide should have been the same in both treatment groups.
Data collection and analysis
Two authors independently performed the study selection.
Main results
No studies meeting the inclusion criteria of the review were identified.
Authors' conclusions
No RCTs or CCTs comparing the effectiveness of cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide in the treatment of bone and soft tissue sarcoma in children and young adults were identified. Therefore no definitive conclusions can be made about the effects of cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide in these patients. Based on the currently available evidence, we are not able to give recommendations for clinical practice. More high-quality research is needed.
