Related pages Drug Information Summaries 1 Approval Process for New Cancer Treatments 2 Access to Investigational Drugs: Q & A 3

This page contains brief information about cyclophosphamide and a collection of links to more information about the use of this drug, related research results, and ongoing clinical trials.

US Brand Name(s):		Clafen
		Cytoxan
		Neosar
FDA Approved:		Yes

Cyclophosphamide is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be used by itself or with other drugs to treat the following types of cancer:

• Breast cancer.
• Different types of leukemia, including:
  • Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children.
  • Acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
  • Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
  • Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML).
• Hodgkin lymphoma.
• Multiple myeloma.
• Mycosis fungoides.
• Neuroblastoma.
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
• Ovarian cancer.
• Retinoblastoma.

Cyclophosphamide is also used to treat certain types of nonmalignant kidney disease in children who are not helped by or can no longer take corticosteroids.

Cyclophosphamide is usually used together with other drugs, rather than by itself.

In addition to the uses that have been approved by the FDA, cyclophosphamide is used to treat other types of cancer. The drug continues to be studied in the treatment of many types of cancer.

Definition from the NCI Drug Dictionary ⁴ - Detailed scientific definition and other names for this drug.

Clinical Trial Results: Less Intense Chemotherapy Effective in Children with Intermediate-Risk Neuroblastoma (06/13/2007) ⁵ - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trial Results: Radiation Might be Avoided for Older Patients with Good Prognosis Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (02/14/2007) ⁶ - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trial Results: Ovarian Suppression May Be as Effective as Chemotherapy in High-Risk Breast Cancer (12/06/2006) ⁷ - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trial Results: Age and Type of Chemotherapy Affect Women's Chances of Menstruating after Breast Cancer Treatment (02/27/2006) ⁸ - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

MedlinePlus Information on Cyclophosphamide ⁹ - A lay language summary of important information about this drug that may include the following:

• warnings about this drug,
• what this drug is used for and how it is used,
• what you should tell your doctor before using this drug,
• what you should know about this drug before using it,
• other drugs that may interact with this drug, and
• possible side effects.

Drugs are often studied to find out if they can help treat or prevent conditions other than the ones they are approved for. This NLM patient information sheet applies only to approved uses of the drug. However, much of the information may also apply to unapproved uses that are being studied.

Clinical Trials for Cyclophosphamide ¹⁰ - Check for trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry now accepting patients.

Glossary Terms

An aggressive (fast-growing) type of leukemia (blood cancer) in which too many lymphoblasts (immature white blood cells) are found in the blood and bone marrow. Also called acute lymphocytic leukemia and ALL.

An aggressive (fast-growing) disease in which too many myeloblasts (immature white blood cells that are not lymphoblasts) are found in the bone marrow and blood. Also called acute myeloblastic leukemia, acute myelogenous leukemia, acute nonlymphocytic leukemia, AML, and ANLL.

Cancer that forms in tissues of the breast, usually the ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple) and lobules (glands that make milk). It occurs in both men and women, although male breast cancer is rare.

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord.

A slowly progressing disease in which too many white blood cells (not lymphocytes) are made in the bone marrow. Also called chronic myelogenous leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, and CML.

An indolent (slow-growing) cancer in which too many immature lymphocytes (white blood cells) are found mostly in the blood and bone marrow. Sometimes, in later stages of the disease, cancer cells are found in the lymph nodes and the disease is called small lymphocytic lymphoma. Also called CLL.

Any steroid hormone made in the adrenal cortex (the outer part of the adrenal gland). They are also made in the laboratory. Corticosteroids have many different effects in the body, and are used to treat many different conditions. They may be used as hormone replacement, to suppress the immune system, and to treat some side effects of cancer and its treatment. Corticosteroids are also used to treat certain lymphomas and lymphoid leukemias.

An agency in the U.S. federal government whose mission is to protect public health by making sure that food, cosmetics, and nutritional supplements are safe to use and truthfully labeled. The Food and Drug Administration also makes sure that drugs, medical devices, and equipment are safe and effective, and that blood for transfusions and transplant tissue are safe. Also called FDA.

A cancer of the immune system that is marked by the presence of a type of cell called the Reed-Sternberg cell. The two major types of Hodgkin lymphoma are classical Hodgkin lymphoma and nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma. Symptoms include the painless enlargement of lymph nodes, spleen, or other immune tissue. Other symptoms include fever, weight loss, fatigue, or night sweats. Also called Hodgkin disease.

One of a pair of organs in the abdomen. Kidneys remove waste from the blood (as urine), produce erythropoietin (a substance that stimulates red blood cell production), and play a role in blood pressure regulation.

Cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow and causes large numbers of blood cells to be produced and enter the bloodstream.

A type of cancer that begins in plasma cells (white blood cells that produce antibodies). Also called Kahler disease, myelomatosis, and plasma cell myeloma.

A type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that first appears on the skin and can spread to the lymph nodes or other organs such as the spleen, liver, or lungs.

Cancer that arises in immature nerve cells and affects mostly infants and children.

Any of a large group of cancers of lymphocytes (white blood cells). Non-Hodgkin lymphomas can occur at any age and are often marked by lymph nodes that are larger than normal, fever, and weight loss. There are many different types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. These types can be divided into aggressive (fast-growing) and indolent (slow-growing) types, and they can be formed from either B-cells or T-cells. B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas include Burkitt lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, immunoblastic large cell lymphoma, precursor B-lymphoblastic lymphoma, and mantle cell lymphoma. T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas include mycosis fungoides, anaplastic large cell lymphoma, and precursor T-lymphoblastic lymphoma. Lymphomas that occur after bone marrow or stem cell transplantation are usually B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Prognosis and treatment depend on the stage and type of disease. Also called NHL.

Not cancerous.

Cancer that forms in tissues of the ovary (one of a pair of female reproductive glands in which the ova, or eggs, are formed). Most ovarian cancers are either ovarian epithelial carcinomas (cancer that begins in the cells on the surface of the ovary) or malignant germ cell tumors (cancer that begins in egg cells).

Cancer that forms in the tissues of the retina (the light-sensitive layers of nerve tissue at the back of the eye). Retinoblastoma usually occurs in children younger than 5 years. It may be hereditary or nonhereditary (sporadic).