Amifostine (ethiofos) is a cytoprotective adjuvant used in cancer chemotherapy and radiotherapy involving DNA-binding chemotherapeutic agents. It is marketed by Clinigen Group under the trade name Ethyol.

Amifostine
Clinical data
AHFS/Drugs.comMonograph
Routes of
administration
Intravenous
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailabilitycomplete
Elimination half-life8 minutes
Identifiers
  • 2-(3-aminopropylamino)ethylsulfanylphosphonic acid
CAS Number
PubChem CID
DrugBank
ChemSpider
UNII
KEGG
ChEBI
ChEMBL
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
ECHA InfoCard100.161.827 Edit this at Wikidata
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC5H15N2O3PS
Molar mass214.22 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
  • O=P(O)(O)SCCNCCCN
  • InChI=1S/C5H15N2O3PS/c6-2-1-3-7-4-5-12-11(8,9)10/h7H,1-6H2,(H2,8,9,10) checkY
  • Key:JKOQGQFVAUAYPM-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  (verify)

Indications

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Amifostine is used therapeutically to reduce the incidence of neutropenia-related fever and infection induced by DNA-binding chemotherapeutic agents including alkylating agents (e.g. cyclophosphamide) and platinum-containing agents (e.g. cisplatin). It is also used to decrease the cumulative nephrotoxicity associated with platinum-containing agents. Amifostine is also indicated to reduce the incidence of xerostomia in patients undergoing radiotherapy for head and neck cancer.

Amifostine was originally indicated to reduce the cumulative renal toxicity from cisplatin in non-small cell lung cancer. However, while nephroprotection was observed, the probability that amifostine could protect tumors could not be excluded. Additional data have shown that amifostine-mediated tumor protection, in any clinical scenario, is unlikely.

Pharmacokinetics

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WR-1065, 2-((aminopropyl)amino)ethanethiol, the active metabolite of amifostine

Amifostine is an organic thiophosphate prodrug which is hydrolysed in vivo by alkaline phosphatase to the active cytoprotective thiol metabolite, WR-1065. The selective protection of non-malignant tissues is believed to be due to higher alkaline phosphatase activity, higher pH, and vascular permeation of normal tissues.

Amifostine can be administered intravenously or subcutaneously after reconstitution with normal saline. Infusions lasting less than 15 minutes decrease the risk of adverse effects. The patient should be well-hydrated prior to administration.

Mechanism of action

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Inside cells, amifostine detoxifies reactive metabolites of platinum and alkylating agents, as well as scavenges free radicals.[1][2] Other possible effects include accelerated DNA repair,[1] induction of cellular hypoxia,[1] inhibition of apoptosis,[2] alteration of gene expression[2] and modification of enzyme activity.[2] Amifostine is believed to radioprotect normal tissue via Warburg-type effects.[3]

Adverse effects

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Common side effects of amifostine include hypocalcemia, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, sneezing, somnolence, and hiccups. Serious side effects include: hypotension (found in 62% of patients), erythema multiforme, Stevens–Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, immune hypersensitivity syndrome, erythroderma, anaphylaxis, and loss of consciousness (rare).

Contraindications

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Contraindications to receiving amifostine include hypersensitivity to amifostine and aminothiol compounds like WR-1065. Ethyol contains mannitol.

References

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  1. ^ a b c Kouvaris JR, Kouloulias VE, Vlahos LJ (June 2007). "Amifostine: the first selective-target and broad-spectrum radioprotector". The Oncologist. 12 (6): 738–747. doi:10.1634/theoncologist.12-6-738. PMID 17602063.
  2. ^ a b c d "Amifostine". British Columbia Cancer Agency. 2006-03-01. Archived from the original on 2015-03-14. Retrieved 2011-01-01.
  3. ^ Koukourakis MI, Giatromanolaki A, Zois CE, Kalamida D, Pouliliou S, Karagounis IV, et al. (August 2016). "Normal tissue radioprotection by amifostine via Warburg-type effects". Scientific Reports. 6: 30986. Bibcode:2016NatSR...630986K. doi:10.1038/srep30986. PMC 4978965. PMID 27507219.