paclitaxel + amifostine

Paclitaxel + amifostine is a combination chemotherapy regimen investigated by the State University of New York - Upstate Medical University for the treatment of recurrent or refractory solid tumors. The regimen utilizes paclitaxel, a taxane that stabilizes microtubules to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, in a weekly dose-escalated schedule. Amifostine is administered as a cytoprotective agent; it is a thiophosphate prodrug converted by alkaline phosphatase into an active thiol metabolite (WR-1065) that scavenges free radicals generated by chemotherapy. This scavenging action protects normal cells from toxicity, potentially allowing for higher doses of paclitaxel to be tolerated without increasing systemic side effects. This Phase I study specifically evaluated the safety and effectiveness of this combination in patients who had failed prior therapies.

Brand names

TaxolEthyol

Other names

Weekly paclitaxel and amifostinePaclitaxel and amifostine trihydrate