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

• Main Authors: 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.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Online Access: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-33845651416&partnerID=40&md5=fa9b0c46ddfa7221354e545972ba6958; http://cmuir.cmu.ac.th/handle/6653943832/1982
• Institution: Chiang Mai University

Background: Amifostine has a potential role for salivary gland protection in head and neck cancer patients who had radiotherapy. Material and Method: 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. Results: Amifostine significantly reduced the mean questionnaire scores from 6.49 to 3.73, the incidence of grade ≥ 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. Conclusion: Amifostine is effective in reducing the incidence and severity of acute mucositis, acute and late xerostomia in head and neck cancer patients.