Radioprotective Effect of Amifostine in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Purpose To evaluate the effect of amifostine in reducing the acute toxicity of salivary gland without compromising the effectiveness of radiotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods Thirty-two patients with nasopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, who were firstly treated, were randomized into radiotherapy with amifostine (A group) and radiotherapy alone (B group). All patients received conventional radiotherapy whose nasopharyngeal tumor dose was 65-74 Gy, Amifostine (200 mg/m2) was administered in A group only 15-30 minutes before RT. Results The degree of xerostomia mucositis and the decrease of saliva were lower in the amifostine and radiotherapy group. Nausea and vomiting were the most common side effects induced by amifortine. There were no difference in the CR + PR rates in two groups. Conclusions Amifostine has radioprotective effect against radiation-induced xerostomia in the radiotherapy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma without decreasing the treatment efficacy.