Effect of Amifostine to prevent radiotherapy-induced acute and late toxicity in head and neck cancer patients who had normal or mild impaired salivary gland function
Veerasarn, V.; Phromratanapongse, P.; Suntornpong, N.; Lorvidhaya, V.; Sukthomya, V.; Chitapanarux, I.; Tesavibul, C.; Swangsilpa, T.; Khorprasert, C.; Shotelersuk, K.; Kongthanarat, Y.; Panichevaluk, A.; Chiewvit, S.; Pusuwan, P.; Aekmahachai, M.; Ratchadara, S.; Sirilipoche, S.; Saengsuda, Y.
Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand 89(12): 2056-2067
2006
ISSN/ISBN: 0125-2208 PMID: 17214057 Document Number: 8763
Amifostine has a potential role for salivary gland protection in head and neck cancer patients who had radiotherapy. Sixty-seven head and neck cancer patients were randomized to receive radiotherapy or radiotherapy plus Amifostine. The efficacy of the treatment was determined by a questionnaire evaluating dryness of mouth and the oral comfort, the RTOG/EORTC acute/late radiation morbidity scoring criteria, collection of the whole saliva and the 99mTc-pertecnetate scintigraphy of the salivary glands. Amifostine significantly reduced the mean questionnaire scores from 6.49 to 3.73, the incidence of grade > or = 2 mucositis from 75% to 36% and acute xerostomia from 82% to 39%. The salivary gland function returned to normal at a rate of 36.3% in the Amifostine group versus 9.1% in the control group. Amifostine is effective in reducing the incidence and severity of acute mucositis, acute and late xerostomia in head and neck cancer patients.
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