Dec 25, 2009

Encyclopedia of Cancer | Amifostine

Definition

Amifostine, also known as the brand name Ethyol and as ethiofos or WR2721, is a medicine that helps protect certain tissues of the body from damage caused by chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Purpose

Amifostine is a protectant agent that is used in combination with the chemotherapy drug cisplatin or in combination with radiation therapy. Amifostine is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prevent kidney damage caused by repeat doses of the chemotherapy agent cisplatin in patients who have a diagnosis of

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