title: Pentoxifylline and alpha-tocopherol in prevention of radiation-induced lung toxicity in patients with lung cancer.
abstract: Combined use of pentoxifylline and vitamin E is reported to reduce radiation-induced toxicity in normal tissues at molecular level. We plan to evaluate the role of combined use of pentoxifylline (PTX) and alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E; Vit E) for minimizing radiation-induced lung toxicity. A total of 91 lung cancer patients were randomized. Among them, 44 received PTX (400 mg three times a day orally and Vit E 300 mg twice a day orally during the entire period of radiotherapy. PTX and Vit E were further administered at doses of 400 mg once a day and 300 mg once a day, respectively for 3 months after radiotherapy. A total of 47 patients were assigned as a control group. Radiation related acute and late toxicities are evaluated by radiation RTOG/EORTC toxicity scale. Median age was 59 (range, 41-75). Median follow-up was 13 months (range, 3-28 months). Radiation-induced lung toxicity was more frequent in control group for all phases than in pentoxifylline and alpha-tocopherol group (acute phase, P = 0.042, subacute phase P = 0.0001, late phase P = 0.256). PTX and Vit E combination might be considered especially in patients with lung cancer who receive concurrent chemo-radiotherapy, or have a poor respiratory function tests.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Ankara Oncology Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cem H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Misirlioglu
authors.forename: Taciser
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Demirkasimoglu
authors.forename: Bulent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kucukplakci
authors.forename: Ergun
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sanri
authors.forename: Kadri
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Altundag
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000532:radiotherapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000528:radiation effects; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D010431:Pentoxifylline / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol; D010431:Pentoxifylline