Purpose: Ifosfamide is widely used in pediatric oncology but its nephrotoxicity may become a significant issue in survivors. This study is aimed at evaluating the incidence of late renal toxicity of ifosfamide and its risk factors.
Patients and methods: Of the 183 patients prospectively investigated for renal function, 77 treated for rhabdomyosarcoma, 39 for other soft tissue sarcoma, 39 for Ewing's sarcoma, and 28 for osteosarcoma were investigated at least 5 years after treatment. No patients had received cisplatin and/or carboplatin. Glomerular and tubular functions were graded according to the Skinner system.
Results: The median dose of ifosfamide was 54 g/m(2) (range, 18 to 117 g/m(2)). After a median follow-up of 10 years, 89.5% of patients had normal tubular function, and 78.5% had normal glomerular function rate (GFR). Serum bicarbonate and calcium were normal in all patients. Hypomagnesemia was observed in 1.2% and hypophosphatemia in 1%. The tubular threshold for phosphate was reduced in 24% of the patients (grade 1 in 15%, grade 2 in 8%, and grade 3 in 0.5%). Glycosuria was detected in 37% of the patients but was more than 0.5 g/24 hours in only 5%. Proteinuria was observed in 12%. Ifosfamide dose and interval from therapy to investigations were predictors of tubulopathy in univariate and multivariate analysis. In a multivariate analysis, an older age at diagnosis and the length of interval since treatment had independent impacts on the risk of abnormal GFR.
Conclusion: Renal toxicity is moderate with a moderate dose of ifosfamide. However, since it can be permanent and can get worse with time, repeated long-term evaluations are important, and this risk should be balanced against efficacy.