Ethyol® Protects Against Side Effects of Treatment in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
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Source: 411Cancer.com "Cancer Experts leading the way to
optimal cancer care."
According to results published in the International Journal of Radiation, Oncology, Biology and Physics, Ethyol® (amifostine) provides protection against side effects caused by treatment with radiation and chemotherapy, without compromising the effectiveness of therapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Treatment for cancer with radiation and/or chemotherapy is associated with the development of various side effects, depending upon the chemotherapy agents used, the location of radiation, the doses and scheduling of particular regimens as well as the individual patient. Side effects can range from mild to severe, and may even become life threatening. If side effects from treatment become severe enough, the quality of life of a patient becomes impaired, and treatment doses often have to be delayed or reduced, compromising the effectiveness of therapy altogether. Research efforts have become more focused on reducing or mitigating side effects caused by treatment so that doses producing optimal outcomes may be delivered and patient quality of life be maintained. Ethyol is an agent that is approved by the FDA for the prevention or reduction of xerostomia (dry mouth) in patients receiving radiation therapy for cancers of the head and neck, and for the prevention or reduction of renal (kidney) side effects caused by Platinol® (cisplatin) in patients with advanced ovarian or non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Clinical trials have also demonstrated that Ethyol reduces the incidence of side effects of the bladder and gastrointestinal track in patients receiving radiation to the pelvis. Clinical trials are ongoing to evaluate Ethyol in preventing or reducing side effects from various treatments in several types of cancer. Researchers from Greece recently conducted a clinical trial evaluating Ethyol in the treatment of NSCLC. This trial involved 73 patients with advanced NSCLC who were receiving radiation plus chemotherapy (radiochemotherapy) with a platinum compound (Platinol or Paraplatin®). Patients received radiochemotherapy (RCT) plus Ethyol or RCT only (control group) and were directly compared. The incidence of severe esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus) occurred in only 39% of patients receiving Ethyol, compared with 84.4% in the control group. There was also a significant reduction in side effects to the lungs in the group of patients treated with Ethyol (19.4%), compared to the control group (56.3%). Furthermore, anti-cancer responses to treatment were not compromised with the treatment of Ethyol, with an 88.8% anti-cancer response rate in patients treated with Ethyol and an 82.2% anti-cancer response rate in those treated with RCT alone. The researchers concluded that the addition of Ethyol to radiochemotherapy for treatment of advanced NSCLC reduces the incidence of esophagitis and side effects affecting the lungs without compromising the effectiveness of treatment. Longer follow-up may help determine if a survival benefit can be achieved with the use of Ethyol. Patients with NSCLC who are scheduled to undergo radiochemotherapy may wish to speak with their physician about the risks and benefits of Ethyol. *** POSTED SEPTEMBER 23, 2003 *** |