Alteration of radiation-induced hematotoxicity by amifostine.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether amifostine can reduce radiation hematotoxicity.


METHODS
Seventy-three patients undergoing radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck at the university clinics of Freiburg, Heidelberg, and Erlangen were evaluated. All received 60 Gy (50-70 Gy) at 5 x 2 Gy fractions per week employing standard techniques. Thirty-five were randomized to receive 200 mg/m(2) amifostine i.v. 30 min before radiation; 38 served as control patients. Blood counts (total n = 501) were determined before, during, and while completing radiotherapy. Changes of leukocyte, platelet, and hemoglobin levels were determined and compared using the t test.


RESULTS
The blood hemoglobin level and the platelet count were not affected by irradiation, for either the amifostine-treated or control patients. Similarly, the leukocyte counts of amifostine-treated patients did not change during irradiation. However, control patients experienced a decrease in leukocyte count from 8.1 x 10(3)/mm(3) to 5.8 x 10(3)/mm(3) (difference: 2.3 x 10(3)/mm(3)). This seems to be line specific: Whereas amifostine does not affect lymphocyte count, a radiation-induced decrease of neutrophil granulocytes seems to be prevented.


CONCLUSIONS
Amifostine protects from radiation hematotoxicity, particularly affecting the granulocytopoiesis. These data confirm results from our former study.
Momm
F
F
Department of Radiotherapy, University Clinic Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany. momm@mst1.ukl.uni-freiburg.de
Bechtold
C
C
Rudat
V
V
Strnad
V
V
Tsekos
A
A
Fischer
K
K
Henke
M
M
D004999:Amifostine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000097:blood / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006441:Hemoglobin A / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D010976:Platelet Count; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011835:Radiation Protection; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage
D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; D006441:Hemoglobin A; D004999:Amifostine