Active ingredient: Amifostine - Brands, Medical Use, Clinical Data

Brands, Medical Use, Clinical Data

Drug Category

• Radiation-Protective Agents

Dosage Forms

• Powder for solution

Brands / Synonyms

Amifostine Ethiofos; Aminopropylaminoethyl Thiophosphate; Apaetp; Ethiofos; Ethyol; Gammaphos; SAPEP

Indications

For reduction in the cumulative renal toxicity in patients with ovarian cancer (using cisplatin) and moderate to severe xerostomia in patients undergoing post-operative radiation treatment for head and neck cancer.

Pharmacology

Amifostine is an organic thiophosphate cytoprotective agent indicated to reduce the cumulative renal toxicity associated with repeated administration of cisplatin in patients with advanced ovarian cancer or non-small cell lung cancer and also to reduce the incidence of moderate to severe xerostomia in patients undergoing post-operative radiation treatment for head and neck cancer. Amifostine is a prodrug that is dephosphorylated by alkaline phosphatase in tissues to a pharmacologically active free thiol metabolite, believed to be responsible for the reduction of the cumulative renal toxicity of cisplatin and for the reduction of the toxic effects of radiation on normal oral tissues. Healthy cells are preferentially protected because amifostine and metabolites are present in healthy cells at 100-fold greater concentrations than in tumour cells.

Mechanism of Action

The thiol metabolite is responsible for most of the cytoprotective and radioprotective properties of amifostine. It is readily taken up by cells where it binds to and detoxifies reactive metabolites of platinum and alkylating agents as well as scavenges free radicals. Other possible effects include inhibition of apoptosis, alteration of gene expression and modification of enzyme activity.

Absorption

Not Available

Toxicity

Rat LD₅₀: 826 mg/kg

Biotrnasformation / Drug Metabolism

Amifostine is rapidly dephosphorylated by alkaline phosphatase in tissues primarily to the active free thiol metabolite and, subsequently, to a less active disulfide metabolite.

Contraindications

ETHYOL is contraindicated in patients with known sensitivity to aminothiol compounds.

Drug Interactions

Special consideration should be given to the administration of ETHYOL^® in patients receiving antihypertensive medications or other drugs that could cause or potentiate hypotension.