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Study · Case report or series · n = 12 · 2000

2 results

Methylene blue in the treatment and prevention of ifosfamide-induced encephalopathy: report of 12 cases and a review of the literature.

Pelgrims J, De Vos F, Van den Brande J, Schrijvers D, Prové A, Vermorken JB

British journal of cancer1 Jan 2000Cited by 133 (Europe PMC)

PMID10646879 (opens in a new tab)PMCIDPMC2363270 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.1054/bjoc.1999.0917 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-10646879
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Summary

Ifosfamide is an alkylating agent used in the treatment of a variety of solid tumours. Ten to 15% of patients treated with ifosfamide develop an encephalopathy. Methylene blue (MB) may be used in the treatment of this encephalopathy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of MB in these patients and to review the literature. Between 1993 and 1997, 52 patients (age 16-77 years) with solid tumours were treated with ifosfamide in dosages ranging from 3 to 5 g m(-2) q3w when given in combination schedules and up to 12 g m(-2) q4w when given as a single agent. Twelve patients developed central nervous system (CNS) depression, defined as National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria (NCI-CTC) neurocortical toxicity grade 2 or higher. Eight were treated with MB at a dose of 6 x 50 mg day(-1) intravenously (i.v.). Four recovered fully within 24 h, two recovered partially after 24 h and completely after 48 h while two recovered only after 72 h. Four patients did not receive MB and all recovered only after 48 h. Three patients received prophylaxis with MB at a dose of 4 x 50 mg day(-1) i.v. for the subsequent chemotherapy cycles. Two developed milder encephalopathy; one had no CNS depression at all. We conclude that MB is an effective treatment for ifosfamide-induced encephalopathy. Our findings suggest that it may also be used as a prophylactic agent.
CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study2

2 results from studies that gave the peptide. 2 results from people.

  1. 01HumanCase report or seriesEfficacy outcome

    In patients with ifosfamide-induced central nervous system depression, four methylene blue patients recovered fully within 24 h, two after 48 h and two after 72 h, versus four untreated patients after 48 h.

    In plain wordsPatients with ifosfamide-related brain depression recovered within 24, 48 or 72 hours with methylene blue, versus 48 hours in four untreated patients.

    Peptide
    Methylene blue
    Outcome
    MixedRecovery from encephalopathy
    Study

    n = 12

    Comparator
    No methylene blue
    Outcome group
    Neuroprotection · Nervous system and cognition
    Studied dose
    6 x 50 mg day(-1) · intravenousAs given in this study (human).

    Measurements

    Patients fully recovered within 24 h
    4 patients
    methylene blue
    Patients completely recovered after 48 h
    2 patients
    methylene blue
    Patients recovered after 72 h
    2 patients
    methylene blue
    Patients recovered after 48 h
    4 patients
    no methylene blue

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Four recovered fully within 24 h, two recovered partially after 24 h and completely after 48 h while two recovered only after 72 h.
    Summary
    Four patients did not receive MB and all recovered only after 48 h.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Eight were treated with MB at a dose of 6 x 50 mg day(-1) intravenously (i.v.).
    Summary · context
    Twelve patients developed central nervous system (CNS) depression, defined as National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria (NCI-CTC) neurocortical toxicity grade 2 or higher.
  2. 02HumanCase report or seriesEfficacy outcome

    Among three patients receiving methylene blue prophylaxis during subsequent chemotherapy cycles, two developed milder encephalopathy and one had no CNS depression.

    In plain wordsAmong three patients receiving methylene blue prevention during later chemotherapy cycles, two developed milder encephalopathy and one had no brain function depression.

    Peptide
    Methylene blue
    Outcome
    DecreaseEncephalopathy with methylene blue prophylaxis
    Study

    n = 3

    Outcome group
    Neuroprotection · Nervous system and cognition
    Studied dose
    4 x 50 mg day(-1) · intravenousAs given in this study (human).

    Measurements

    Patients with milder encephalopathy
    2 patients
    methylene blue prophylaxis
    Patients with no CNS depression
    1 patients
    methylene blue prophylaxis

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Two developed milder encephalopathy; one had no CNS depression at all.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Three patients received prophylaxis with MB at a dose of 4 x 50 mg day(-1) i.v. for the subsequent chemotherapy cycles.
    Summary · context
    Twelve patients developed central nervous system (CNS) depression, defined as National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria (NCI-CTC) neurocortical toxicity grade 2 or higher.

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Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

  1. Version 2Current

    14 Oct 2026, 05:02 UTC

    Study results updated

  2. Version 1

    14 Oct 2026, 01:46 UTC

    First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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