Seminars in oncology
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Seminars in oncology · Dec 2004
Clinical TrialA phase II study to assess the efficacy of amifostine for submandibular/sublingual salivary sparing during the treatment of head and neck cancer with intensity modulated radiation therapy for parotid salivary sparing.
Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) allows for relative parotid salivary gland sparing for patients undergoing treatment for head and neck squamous cell cancer, but is less reliable for sparing the submandibular glands. Cytoprotection with amifostine (Ethyol; Medimmune Inc, Gaithersburg, MD) has been shown to decrease rates of acute and late xerostomia in patients undergoing radiation therapy for head and neck squamous cell cancer. The addition of amifostine to IMRT may augment parotid salivary sparing, and add submandibular/sublingual, and minor salivary gland sparing resulting in greater salivary flow rates and a more physiologic saliva. ⋯ Xerostomia outcomes will be correlated with salivary dose volume histogram data. Accrual has not yet begun. The results of this study will give an indication of the objective and subjective benefit of combined IMRT physical parotid salivary sparing and amifostine chemical cytoprotection for combined salivary gland sparing and reduction in the rate of xerostomia in patients undergoing IMRT for head and neck squamous cell cancer.
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Seminars in oncology · Dec 2004
ReviewPreclinical perspectives on the use of platinum compounds in cancer chemotherapy.
Although platinum compounds have long been used in cancer chemotherapy, understanding the biochemistry and specific activity of these agents remains a focus of ongoing research, particularly with regard to next-generation platinum agents. This review will examine current knowledge and recent studies of the molecular mechanisms of platinum DNA damage and repair, including novel platinum DNA targets. Gene expression associated with platinum DNA damage will also be explored, as well as mechanisms of platinum-drug delivery, drug resistance, and future directions in the development of novel platinum agents.