The potential of amifostine in high-dose chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Amifostine treatment may allow chemotherapy dose increases beyond those permitted by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In a recent study in patients with solid tumors receiving a high-dose regimen of etoposide, ifosfamide, and carboplatin plus autologous stem cell transplantation, amifostine pretreatment was associated with significant reductions in time to neutrophil and thrombocyte engraftment, fewer days of neutropenic fever, less need for salvage antibiotic therapy. Also, there were significant reductions in grade 3 or 4 stomatitis/diarrhea, and delayed nausea/vomiting. A phase I/II study in patients with refractory/high-risk malignancies indicated that a 140% increase of high-dose melphalan (up to 280 mg/m2) can be safely used with amifostine and autologous stem cell transplantation with manageable mucosal toxicity and a reduced incidence of regimen-related toxicity. Preliminary findings in another phase II study indicate that melphalan 280 mg/m2 can also be safely used with amifostine/stem cell transplantation in the treatment of patients with myeloma. Additional studies are ongoing or planned to examine the potential hematoprotective and hematostimulating effects of amifostine in the setting of high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation.
Phillips
Gordon L
GL
Leukemia/Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program, Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester School of Medicine, NY 14642, USA.
D004999:Amifostine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D019610:Cytoprotection; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; D004999:Amifostine