conley Posted February 16, 2004 Share Posted February 16, 2004 What a beautiful day here in the northeast. Very cold and below zero numbers are expected tonight. Brrrrr! Can't wait until spring. My husband starts radiation tomorrow. I had previously asked his primary oncologist about amifostine (ethyol), which is a cytoprotective agent used to protect toxicities from the effects of radiation and chemo. I am looking for some positive and/or negative results that people on this list might have experienced. Thanks. Judy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
conley Posted February 16, 2004 Author Share Posted February 16, 2004 I forgot to mention, his onc. thinks it causes more harm than good. Judy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karenl Posted February 16, 2004 Share Posted February 16, 2004 Judy I talked to my parents about this a while back, and they were not particularly keen to try it (they are both doctors). Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie B Posted February 16, 2004 Share Posted February 16, 2004 Dear Judy, I had Radiation and Chemo 8 + years ago, but never hear of Ethyol being used to protect toxicities. To be very honest with you, this is a first for me. Interesting! I have never had any of my Lung Cancer Support Group members mention this either. Seeeeeee, we are always learning. I learn something new all the time from this board. Can't help you out on your question, so good luck. I will say this, can it be a good thing if no one has heard of it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerbil runner Posted February 16, 2004 Share Posted February 16, 2004 I looked up the pamphlet on ethyol at http://www.medimmune.com/products/htmlp ... tml#dosage and administration It seems there is concern that it may lessen the effectiveness of the chemo. Although it is not stated as such, it lools like it's only approved where the chemo and radiation are primarily palliative. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MO_Sugar Posted February 16, 2004 Share Posted February 16, 2004 I was given Ethyol when I received radiation to try and diminish the effect on my esophogus. It made me so SICK I couldn't stop throwing up all day. We tried it once more to see if that what caused it (or if I had a touch of the flu) and it was the ethyol. Some folks that were using it at the same time swear by it so I think it is one of those that effects everyone differently. Good Luck and best wishes. God Bless, MO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karen335 Posted February 16, 2004 Share Posted February 16, 2004 My onc. gave it to me twice and I couldn't handle it. It made my head feel like it was going to explode and my gums bled and I was sick to my stomach. It was horrible. I was supposed to get the shot prior to radiation treatments. I couldn't take it. Maybe good for some, but not me... Remembering you in my prayers and God Bless... Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john Posted February 17, 2004 Share Posted February 17, 2004 It seemed to be really helpful from a few studies but Medimmune received a warning from the FDA that said they overstated it effectiveness in some marketing material. http://www.pharmcast.com/WarningLetters ... ne1003.htm So what I thought before about it being very helpful for the prevention of fibrosis and other side-effects might not be so accurate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john Posted February 17, 2004 Share Posted February 17, 2004 There are studies that indicate amifostine is effective and there also studies that say it is not effective as a chemoprotectorant, so it is hard to tell. You need to look at sample size and also the p value. The smaller the p value *usually* means it is more "statistically significant" It is kind of strange that a lot of the studies with good results were from Greece. It seems to me from the studies below that it doesnt do a great job. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/quer ... t=Abstract studies that conclude it is effective http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/quer ... t=Abstract http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/quer ... t=Abstract studies that conclude it is not effective http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/quer ... t=Abstract http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/quer ... t=Abstract http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/quer ... t=Abstract Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhutch1366 Posted February 17, 2004 Share Posted February 17, 2004 I dare to disagree. Cisplatin is very hard on the ears. After my first chemo I was screaming with pain, and losing hearing at the same time. Had Ethyol with the remaining treatments. Protected what was left of my hearing, I don't need a hearing aid. I didn't scream in pain for the remainder of my chemos. And the rad/chemo package killed the tumor dead -- nothing left alive in what they took out. 99.9% dead, rest didn't look very good. Died in the dish. I think the doctors who discourage the use of ethyol should sit and listen to someone whos had max cisplatin dosage scream with ear pain before they choose to not recommend it. If I had had it from the beginning I wouldn't know how good it actually was. The first time it knocked me out, after that was okay. Check, check, and double check. Ethyol was originally supposed to protect the kidneys, but also protected my hearing, Keep an open mind. XOXOX MaryAnn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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