liposomal doxorubicin + ifosfamide

Liposomal doxorubicin + ifosfamide is a combination chemotherapy regimen evaluated primarily as a first-line treatment for advanced or metastatic soft tissue sarcoma (STS). The regimen pairs a liposome-encapsulated formulation of the anthracycline doxorubicin—either pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD, e.g., Doxil/Caelyx) or non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (NPLD, e.g., Myocet)—with the alkylating agent ifosfamide. The primary therapeutic rationale for using a liposomal formulation of doxorubicin instead of conventional free doxorubicin is to maintain the high antitumor efficacy of the standard doxorubicin-plus-ifosfamide regimen while significantly reducing its associated toxicities, particularly cumulative cardiotoxicity. Doxorubicin acts by intercalating into DNA and inhibiting topoisomerase II, whereas ifosfamide is a prodrug metabolized to active alkylating species that form DNA cross-links. This combination has been investigated in several academic and cooperative-group clinical trials, including Phase I and Phase II studies sponsored by organizations such as the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC).

Other names

NPLD + ifosfamidePLD + IFOPLD + ifosfamideliposomal doxorubicin and ifosfamideliposomal doxorubicin/ifosfamidenon-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin + ifosfamidepegylated liposomal doxorubicin + ifosfamide