Ann Pharmacother. 2005 Feb 8; [Epub ahead of print] Related Articles,
Links

Role of Pentoxifylline and Vitamin E in Attenuation of
Radiation-Induced Fibrosis (March).

Chiao TB, Lee AJ.

Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, San Francisco, CA; Adjunct
Faculty, Thomas J Long School of Pharmacy, University of the Pacific,
Stockton, CA; Assistant Professor, School of Pharmacy, University of
California, San Francisco.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of pentoxifylline and vitamin E as
monotherapy and in combination for the treatment of radiation-induced
fibrosis (RIF). DATA SOURCES: Literature retrieval was performed
through MEDLINE (1966-March 2004) using the terms vitamin E,
alpha-tocopherol, pentoxifylline, radiation-induced fibrosis, and
radiation injury. DATA SYNTHESIS: Few treatments exist for managing RIF
of soft tissues. Due to its antioxidant properties, vitamin E may
reduce the oxidative damage induced by radiation. The precise mechanism
of action for pentoxifylline in management of RIF remains unclear.
Uncontrolled studies evaluating vitamin E or pentoxifylline as
monotherapy in RIF have shown modest improvement in clinical regression
of fibrosis. However, controlled data are needed to verify these
benefits. Studies involving pentoxifylline plus vitamin E demonstrated
regression in RIF. The combination was more effective than placebo and
may be superior to monotherapy with either agent. Adverse effects were
rarely reported in the studies and consisted mainly of gastrointestinal
and nervous system effects. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, pentoxifylline is
well tolerated and is one of the few commercially available drugs with
clinical data for management of RIF. Despite a lack of large,
well-designed clinical trials, pentoxifylline plus vitamin E should be
considered as an option in patients with symptomatic RIF.

PMID: 15701781 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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