A randomized trial of amifostine as a cytoprotective agent in patients receiving chemotherapy for small cell lung cancer

2001

Amifostine and Chemotherapy for Small Cell Lung Cancer

Sample size: 84 publication Evidence: low

Author Information

Author(s): Johnson P W M, Muers M F, Peake M D, Poulter K M, Gurney E M, Napp V, Hepburn P M, Brown J M

Primary Institution: ICRF Cancer Medicine Research Unit, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK

Can amifostine reduce the toxicity of chemotherapy in patients with small cell lung cancer?

The study found that amifostine did not provide a protective effect against chemotherapy toxicity or improve treatment efficacy.

84 patients participated in the trial.
Patients were randomized into two groups: one receiving amifostine and the other receiving chemotherapy alone.
There was no significant difference in severe side effects between the two groups.
The median survival was 11 months for the chemotherapy only group and 14 months for the amifostine group.

Doctors wanted to see if a drug called amifostine could help people getting chemotherapy for lung cancer feel better, but it didn't work.

Patients were randomized to receive either amifostine before chemotherapy or chemotherapy alone, and their health outcomes were compared.

The study did not find any significant differences in side effects or survival rates between the two treatment groups.

Patients had small cell lung cancer with varying performance statuses.

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