Clinical status of the new cytoprotective agent, amifostine.

In summary, the data presented and reviewed at this symposium provide a strong rationale for the use of amifostine as a cytoprotective agent. Amifostine has been shown to reduce morbidity in cancer patients receiving radiation and chemotherapy without compromising the antineoplastic activity of the cancer therapies employed. Amifostine has been investigated extensively and appears particularly effective with cisplatin and cyclophosphamide, which operate via direct binding to the active species of these alkylating agents. It may also have a role in the protection of normal hematopoietic stem cells during bone marrow purging prior to bone marrow transplantation. Finally, amifostine may act synergistically with hematopoietic growth factors (ie, G-CSF) to protect and accelerate the recovery of hematopoietic stem cells exposed to high doses of radiation.