Ifosfamide is a type of chemotherapy drug known as an alkylating agent. It is a prodrug, which means it needs to be activated by enzymes in the liver before it can work. Once activated, ifosfamide forms compounds that attach to the DNA in cancer cells. This attachment creates cross-links within the DNA, preventing the cancer cells from dividing and growing. As a result, the cancer cells die.

Because ifosfamide targets rapidly dividing cells, it can also affect some normal cells in the body, such as those in the bone marrow, digestive tract, and hair follicles. This is why side effects like low blood counts, nausea, and hair loss can occur. The drug's action is not specific to lymphoblastic lymphoma, but it is sometimes used as part of combination chemotherapy regimens for blood cancers, including lymphoblastic lymphoma, especially in cases where other treatments have not been successful.

ifosfamide

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