Related Experiment Videos
[Ethyol (amifostine): application trial in pediatric oncology]
M Korzon1, S Popadiuk, K Plata-Nazar
1Kliniki Pediatrii, Gastroenterologii i Onkologii Dzieciecej Akademii Medycznej w Gdańsku.
Wiadomosci Lekarskie (Warsaw, Poland : 1960)
|March 25, 2000
Summary
Amifostine reduced severe myelotoxicity in children undergoing chemotherapy. This study found amifostine (a cytoprotective agent) to be well-tolerated, decreasing severe side effects like thrombocytopenia during cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Myelotoxicity is a significant side effect of chemotherapy.
- Amifostine has demonstrated myeloprotective properties in previous studies.
- This study investigates amifostine's efficacy in pediatric multiagent chemotherapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate amifostine's effectiveness as a myeloprotectant in children receiving chemotherapy.
- To compare the incidence of severe myelotoxicity with and without amifostine administration.
Main Methods:
- Eight pediatric patients (ages 3-15) received chemotherapy over 28 courses.
- Amifostine (750 mg/m2) was administered every other chemotherapy course.
- Myelotoxicity (anemia, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia) was assessed at nadir and graded by WHO criteria.
Main Results:
- Severe anemia, leucopenia, and thrombocytopenia occurred in 21%, 57%, and 43% of courses with amifostine, respectively.
- In contrast, courses without amifostine showed severe events in 7% (anemia), 50% (leucopenia), and 64% (thrombocytopenia).
- Statistically significant reductions in severe side effects were observed with amifostine (p=0.025). Mild side effects like nausea and vomiting occurred in 29% of amifostine courses.
Conclusions:
- Amifostine significantly decreased severe thrombocytopenia in pediatric patients undergoing chemotherapy.
- The cytoprotective agent amifostine was well-tolerated by the pediatric participants.