Re: Amifostene

["Bjorn Cedervall" <bcradsafers@hotmail.com>]

I searched in Medline and AltaVista and found zero hits. Then tried Northern 
Light which gave nine hits. One is the following title (under a site for 
"University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry"):

"Placebo controlled, randomized trial of amifostene in the prevention of 
paclitaxol induced neuropathy, Co-Investigator, Jennifer Griggs, M.D., 
Principal Investigator, Alza Pharmaceutical, 1997-1999"

It seems like they are trying a number of largely unknown drugs for 
potentially useful properties in cancer therapy. I wrote a review a few 
years ago (in Swedish - for educational purposes) of about 50 drugs used in 
cancer therapy. Therefore I can say that the names are "largely unknown" 
(and besides - I often discuss some of the anti-cancer drugs including 
radiomodifyers with collegues).

Regarding radiation modifying effects it must be remembered that any such 
effects (enhancement or protection) should - in order to be of benefit - 
give a difference in response between tumor and surrounding normal tissue. 
The bottom line is often the question of a statistically solid improvement 
for five year survival of the patients. In order to show an improvement of 
say 15% and with a 95% significance level many hundreds of patients are 
usually necessary. In addition, bias may sometimes occur with patients 
depending on their initial status as well as response to negative side 
effects. I would remain sceptical before I see hard data.

It would be interesting to see if there is any rational basis (like specific 
mechanisms) for amifostene.

My personal reflections and ideas only - comments will be appreciated,

Bjorn Cedervall   bcradsafers@hotmail.com
-----------------------------------------
>News releases on August 30, 2000, reported that the drug amifostene is
protective against high dose acute radiation damage to tissues in
radiotherapy.

Can anyone tell us about the action of amifostene and cite some references?

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