Tsavaris N, Kosmas C, Vadiaka M, Zonios D, Papalambros E, Papantoniou N, Margaris H, Zografos G, Rokana S, Retalis G, Koufos C. Amifostine, in a reduced dose, protects against severe diarrhea associated with weekly fluorouracil and folinic acid chemotherapy in advanced colorectal cancer: a pilot study.
J Pain Symptom Manage 2003;
26:849-54. [PMID:
12967734 DOI:
10.1016/s0885-3924(03)00283-5]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Fifty-two consecutive patients with advanced colorectal cancer who developed persistent diarrhea following chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil despite dose reduction were treated with amifostine 800, 500 or 150 mg/m(2). The administered dose of 5-fluorouracil was significantly greater during amifostine treatment. Amifostine 800 mg/m(2) was associated with complete elimination of diarrhea, but 76.3% of patients developed infusion-related hypotension. At a dose of 500 mg/m(2), diarrhea was significantly reduced and milder compared with baseline and the incidence of hypotension was 54.2%. At the lowest dose of amifostine, 17.1% of patients developed Grade 1 diarrhea, a significant reduction over baseline, and hypotension occurred in 25.2% of patients. Treatment with amifostine also improved mucositis but had no effect on the relatively mild nausea and vomiting due to 5-fluorouracil. In this study, amifostine reduced the incidence and severity of diarrhea associated with 5-fluorouracil in patients with advanced colorectal cancer, with acceptable efficacy at a reduced dose that offered better tolerability.
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