Azelastine: its clinical application for radiation dermatitis

A retrospective analysis was performed to investigate the radioprotective effects of azelastine against radiation dermatitis for patients with head and neck cancers. The effects of azelastine were studied in 19 patients with laryngeal cancers treated by irradiation. As controls, 29 patients with laryngeal cancers treated by irradiation without the administration of azelastine were studied. All patients were irradiated using 3 MV linac X-rays. Azelastine was administered orally twice a day. Moist desquamation was observed in four of 29 control patients whereas no such moist desquamation developed after the administration of azelastine. Two cases of moist desquamation that developed before the administration of azelastine regressed during irradiation in patients placed on azelastine. Radiotherapy was completed without interruption in all patients treated with azelastine. No severe side effects were observed. Azelastine, administered orally, was a safe drug and has the potential of improving skin tolerance in irradiation therapy.