Cyclophosphamide
Cyclophosphamide Information
- Other names: Clafen, Cytoxan, Neosar
- Manufactured by: Roxane Laboratories
- FDA-approved: Yes
- Used or tested in: Breast cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, mesothelioma, myeloma, neuroblastoma, ovarian cancer, retinoblastoma
Cyclophosphamide is a decades-old chemotherapy agent that doctors recently began testing in mesothelioma patients. Researchers have already proven the safety and efficacy of the drug, manufactured by Roxane Laboratories, in other diseases. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it for use in a number of cancers and diseases, including breast cancer and leukemia.
For mesothelioma, however, cyclophosphamide remains in the testing phases. Doctors have seen mixed results in clinical trials but remain hopeful that the drug can be implemented successfully in mesothelioma treatment regimens. Now, researchers are studying its effects in combination with other chemotherapy drugs and in combination with immunotherapy.
For more information about other drugs in development, contact the Mesothelioma Center for a free informational packet about treatment options, clinical trials and more. Request yours by completing the form.
How is Cyclophosphamide Administered?
Unlike traditional chemotherapy drugs that must be administered intravenously, cyclophosphamide may be administered in one of three ways. Some patients may take the drug in tablet form, once or twice daily. Or some patients may instead receive the drug in an injection. Still, mesothelioma patients in clinical trials usually receive cyclophosphamide in the traditional intravenous manner, typically once every two weeks.
How Does Cyclophosphamide Work?
Cyclophosphamide is a type of cancer drug called an alkylating agent, which means it is designed to inhibit tumor growth by interfering with the DNA of cancer cells. In this case, cyclophosphamide relies on the liver to break it down so that it can bind with DNA in mesothelioma cells. Once it does so, cyclophosphamide prevents cell division and prompts the death of cancer cells.
What are the Side Effects of Cyclophosphamide?
Cyclophosphamide comes with the general side effects of chemotherapy such as fatigue, weight loss, nausea and hair loss. It may cause additional side effects of abdominal pain, chest pain or shortness of breath, which usually are not severe. However, doctors have noted one major potential side effect: patients who take or use cyclophosphamide have an increased risk of developing other types of cancer, with long-term use and high doses causing the greatest risk. Bladder cancer is the most common resulting cancer, which may develop years after cyclophosphamide use.
Study Results
Researchers have had mixed results when testing cyclophosphamide in mesothelioma patients. One study had positive results when mesothelioma patients underwent radiation therapy followed by a chemotherapy regimen of cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin. Adding the chemotherapy regimen caused tumors to decrease in size by about 25 percent. Overall, patients who received radiation therapy and chemotherapy survived a median of 13 months, as compared to only six months in patients who received radiotherapy alone. However, these results may be slightly skewed since chemotherapy was only given to those patients who were 70 years old or younger and who responded well to initial radiation therapy.
A more recent study from 2010 combined cyclophosphamide with doxorubicin and platinum-based chemotherapy. Success was measured by progression-free survival, or the amount of time that passes after treatment until the mesothelioma cancer spreads. In patients receiving this chemotherapy combination, median progression-free survival was only 1.5 months. This was significantly shorter than the median 12.3 months achieved by a regimen of pemetrexed and platinum-based chemotherapy.
Doctors see promise in cyclophosphamide for the treatment of mesothelioma, and clinical trials continue. Ongoing studies are testing the chemotherapy agent in conjunction with immunotherapy or other chemotherapy drugs for use in treating mesothelioma patients. If you're interested in participating in these or similar clinical trials, the Mesothelioma Center can help. Complete the clinical trials form for assistance finding nearby trials.
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Last Modified Monday, May 14th, 2012 | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy |
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