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01-01-2013 | Special Article

Systematic review of amifostine for the management of oral mucositis in cancer patients

Authors: Ourania Nicolatou-Galitis, Triantafyllia Sarri, Joanne Bowen, Mario Di Palma, Vassilios E. Kouloulias, Pasquale Niscola, Dorothea Riesenbeck, Monique Stokman, Wim Tissing, Eric Yeoh, Sharon Elad, Rajesh V. Lalla, For The Mucositis Study Group of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer/International Society of Oral Oncology (MASCC/ISOO)

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 1/2013

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to review the available literature from 1966 until December 31, 2010 and define clinical practice guidelines for the use of amifostine for the prevention and treatment of oral mucositis in cancer patients.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted by the Mucositis Study Group of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer/International Society of Oral Oncology. The body of evidence for the use of amifostine, in each cancer treatment setting was assigned an evidence level. Based on the evidence level, one of the following three guideline determinations was possible: recommendation, suggestion, or no guideline possible.

Results

Thirty papers were reviewed for evidence on amifostine as an intervention for oral mucositis. No guideline was possible for amifostine in any cancer treatment setting due to inadequate and conflicting evidence.

Conclusion

Review of the amifostine studies for the prevention and treatment of oral mucositis has found insufficient evidence to support its use in any cancer treatment setting for this purpose. Additional well-designed research is needed to clarify the role of amifostine as an intervention for oral mucositis.

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Title: Systematic review of amifostine for the management of oral mucositis in cancer patients
Authors: Ourania Nicolatou-Galitis
Triantafyllia Sarri
Joanne Bowen
Mario Di Palma
Vassilios E. Kouloulias
Pasquale Niscola
Dorothea Riesenbeck
Monique Stokman
Wim Tissing
Eric Yeoh
Sharon Elad
Rajesh V. Lalla
For The Mucositis Study Group of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer/International Society of Oral Oncology (MASCC/ISOO)
Publication date: 01-01-2013
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 1/2013
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-012-1613-6

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