The Role of Amifostine as a Radioprotectant in the Management of Patients with Squamous Cell Head and Neck Cancer

Recommendations • On the basis of the available data, amifostine is recommended as an effective treatment option for the reduction of acute and chronic xerostomia associated with radical conventionally fractionated radiotherapy, given to patients in the head and neck region encompassing at least 75% of the parotid glands, with or without standard dose carboplatin. • The recommended dose and administration of amifostine is an intravenous infusion 15 to 30 minutes prior to radiation, with standard doses of 500mg or doses ranging from 200mg/m2 to 300 mg/m2. The Head and Neck Cancer Disease Site Group would be supportive of randomized trials designed to compare amifostine delivered subcutaneously versus intravenously.