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2D Structure
Also known as: 20537-88-6, Ethiofos, Gammaphos, Ethyol, Sapep, Apaetp
Molecular Formula
C5H15N2O3PS
Molecular Weight
214.23  g/mol
InChI Key
JKOQGQFVAUAYPM-UHFFFAOYSA-N
FDA UNII
ILA426L95O

A phosphorothioate proposed as a radiation-protective agent. It causes splenic vasodilation and may block autonomic ganglia.
Amifostine anhydrous is a Cytoprotective Agent. The mechanism of action of amifostine anhydrous is as a Free Radical Scavenging Activity.
1 2D Structure

2D Structure

2 Identification
2.1 Computed Descriptors
2.1.1 IUPAC Name
2-(3-aminopropylamino)ethylsulfanylphosphonic acid
2.1.2 InChI
InChI=1S/C5H15N2O3PS/c6-2-1-3-7-4-5-12-11(8,9)10/h7H,1-6H2,(H2,8,9,10)
2.1.3 InChI Key
JKOQGQFVAUAYPM-UHFFFAOYSA-N
2.1.4 Canonical SMILES
C(CN)CNCCSP(=O)(O)O
2.2 Other Identifiers
2.2.1 UNII
ILA426L95O
2.3 Synonyms
2.3.1 MeSH Synonyms

1. Amifostine Anhydrous

2. Amifostine Disodium Salt

3. Amifostine Monohydrate

4. Amifostine Monohydrochloride

5. Amifostine Trihydrate

6. Aminopropyl Aminoethylthiophosphate

7. Aminopropylaminoethylthiophosphate

8. Aminopropylaminoethylthiophosphoric Acid

9. Apaetp

10. Ethanethiol, 2-((3-aminopropyl)amino)-, Dihydrogen Phosphate (ester), Trihydrate

11. Ethiofos

12. Ethiofos Anhydrous

13. Ethyol

14. Gammaphos

15. Nsc 296961

16. Nsc-296961

17. Nsc296961

18. S-(n-(3-aminopropyl)-2-aminoethyl)thiophosphoric Acid

19. Wr 2721

20. Wr-2721

21. Wr2721

22. Ym 08310

23. Ym-08310

24. Ym08310

2.3.2 Depositor-Supplied Synonyms

1. 20537-88-6

2. Ethiofos

3. Gammaphos

4. Ethyol

5. Sapep

6. Apaetp

7. Aminopropylaminoethyl Thiophosphate

8. Ethiofos Anhydrous

9. Amifostine Anhydrous

10. Ym-08310

11. Nsc-296961

12. Wr 2721

13. 2-(3-aminopropylamino)ethyl Thiophosphate

14. Au-95722

15. Nsc296961

16. Wr2721

17. Wr-2721

18. Amifostine (hydrate)

19. Nsc 296961

20. 2-(3-aminopropylamino)ethylsulfanylphosphonic Acid

21. S-(2-(3-aminopropylamino)ethyl) Phosphorothioate

22. Nsc-758236

23. Chebi:2636

24. Ila426l95o

25. S-(2-((3-aminopropyl)amino)ethyl) Dihydrogen Phosphorothioate

26. Ethanethiol, 2-((3-aminopropyl)amino)-, Dihydrogen Phosphate (ester)

27. Wr 2721c

28. Amifostina

29. Ncgc00015073-02

30. Ethanethiol, 2-[(3-aminopropyl)amino]-, 1-(dihydrogen Phosphate)

31. Dsstox_cid_2585

32. Dsstox_rid_76644

33. Dsstox_gsid_22585

34. ({2-[(3-aminopropyl)amino]ethyl}sulfanyl)phosphonic Acid

35. S-{2-[(3-aminopropyl)amino]ethyl} Dihydrogen Thiophosphate

36. Wr-2721 Trihydrate

37. 2-((3-aminopropyl)amino)-ethanethiol, Dihydrogen Phosphate Ester (9ci)

38. Amifostine Ethiofos

39. Amifostine [usan:inn:ban]

40. Cas-20537-88-6

41. S-[2-(3-aminopropylamino)ethyl] Phosphorothioate

42. Sr-01000075680

43. Brn 2088122

44. Unii-ila426l95o

45. Ym 08310

46. S-[2-[(3-aminopropyl)amino]ethyl] Dihydrogen Phosphorothioate

47. Ccris 9316

48. Hsdb 7560

49. Amifostine,(s)

50. S,2-(3-aminopropylamino)ethyl-phosphorothioic Acid

51. S-2-(3-aminopropylamino)ethyl Phosphorothioic Acid

52. Ethyol;wr2721

53. Spectrum_000332

54. S-omega-(3-aminopropylamino)ethyl Dihydrogen Phosphorothioate

55. Amifostine [mi]

56. Specplus_000647

57. 2-(3-aminopropyl)aminoethylphosphorothioate

58. Amifostine [inn]

59. Amifostine [jan]

60. 2-((3-aminopropyl)amino)-ethanethiol, Dihydrogen Phosphate Ester

61. Acide ((amino-3 Propylamino)-2 Ethyl)-s-phosphorothioique [french]

62. Spectrum5_001920

63. Amifostine [hsdb]

64. Lopac-a-5922

65. Ncimech_000622

66. S 8744

67. Amifostine [who-dd]

68. Chembl1006

69. Lopac0_000029

70. Schembl18464

71. Kbioss_000812

72. Mls000028473

73. Bidd:gt0059

74. Divk1c_006743

75. Dtxsid8022585

76. Kbio1_001687

77. Kbio2_000812

78. Kbio2_003380

79. Kbio2_005948

80. Acide ((amino-3 Propylamino)-2 Ethyl)-s-phosphorothioique

81. Hms2090i03

82. Hms3260e19

83. Hms3713c06

84. Pharmakon1600-01503081

85. Phosphorothioic Acid, S-(2-(3-aminopropylamino)ethyl) Ester

86. Bcp08957

87. Hy-b0639

88. Phosphorothioic Acid, S-[2-[(3-aminopropyl)amino]ethyl] Ester

89. Tox21_110077

90. Tox21_500029

91. Ccg-35734

92. Mfcd00233058

93. Nsc758236

94. Zinc21992285

95. Akos015895196

96. Tox21_110077_1

97. Ac-1126

98. Db01143

99. Lp00029

100. Sdccgsbi-0050018.p005

101. Smp2_000335

102. Ncgc00015073-01

103. Ncgc00015073-03

104. Ncgc00015073-04

105. Ncgc00015073-05

106. Ncgc00015073-15

107. Ncgc00093549-01

108. Ncgc00093549-02

109. Ncgc00260714-01

110. As-13020

111. Ethanethiol, Dihydrogen Phosphate (ester)

112. Nci60_002485

113. Smr000058413

114. Ethanethiol, Dihydrogen Phosphate- (ester)

115. Sbi-0050018.p003

116. 2-(3-aminopropyl)aminoethyl Phosphorothioate

117. Eu-0100029

118. Ft-0622272

119. 37a886

120. A 5922

121. C06819

122. Ab00053311-04

123. Ab00053311-05

124. Ab00053311_06

125. A814662

126. Q251698

127. {s-[2-(3-aminopropylamino)ethyl]} Phosphorothioate

128. J-013390

129. J-519582

130. Sr-01000075680-1

131. Sr-01000075680-3

132. Sr-01000075680-5

133. 2-(3-aminopropyl)aminoethyl Phosphorothioate; Wr2721

134. Brd-k73947551-001-01-0

135. 2-[(3-aminopropyl)amino]ethanethiol Dihydrogen Phosphate

136. 2-(3-aminopropylamino)ethylsulfanylphosphonic Acid,trihydrate

137. 2-(3-aminopropylamino)ethylsulfanylphosphonic Acid;amifostine

138. Phosphorothioic Acid S-(2-((3-aminopropyl)amino)ethyl) Ester

139. Phosphorothioic Acid, S-[2-[(3-aminopropyl)amino]ethyl]ester

140. S-2-(3-aminopropylamino)ethyl O,o-dihydrogen Phosphorothioate

141. {s-[2-[(3-aminopropyl)amino]ethyl]} Dihydrogen Phosphorothioate

142. 2-((3-aminopropyl)amino)ethanethiol 1-(dihydrogen Phosphate)

143. Ethanethiol, {s-[(3-aminopropyl)amino]-,} Dihydrogen Phosphate- (ester)

2.4 Create Date
2005-03-25
3 Chemical and Physical Properties
Molecular Weight 214.23 g/mol
Molecular Formula C5H15N2O3PS
XLogP3-4.5
Hydrogen Bond Donor Count4
Hydrogen Bond Acceptor Count6
Rotatable Bond Count7
Exact Mass214.05410052 g/mol
Monoisotopic Mass214.05410052 g/mol
Topological Polar Surface Area121 Ų
Heavy Atom Count12
Formal Charge0
Complexity152
Isotope Atom Count0
Defined Atom Stereocenter Count0
Undefined Atom Stereocenter Count0
Defined Bond Stereocenter Count0
Undefined Bond Stereocenter Count0
Covalently Bonded Unit Count1
4 Drug and Medication Information
4.1 Drug Information
1 of 4  
Drug NameAmifostine
PubMed HealthAmifostine (Injection)
Drug ClassesCytoprotective Agent
Drug LabelAmifostine for Injection is an organic thiophosphate cytoprotective agent known chemically as 2-[(3-aminopropyl)amino]ethanethiol dihydrogen phosphate (ester) and has the following structural formula: H2N(CH2)3NH(CH2)2S-PO3H2Amifostine is a white cry...
Active IngredientAmifostine
Dosage FormInjectable
RouteInjection
Strength500mg/vial
Market StatusPrescription
CompanySun Pharma Global

2 of 4  
Drug NameEthyol
PubMed HealthAmifostine (Injection)
Drug ClassesCytoprotective Agent
Active IngredientAmifostine
Dosage FormInjectable
RouteInjection
Strength500mg/vial
Market StatusPrescription
CompanyMedimmune

3 of 4  
Drug NameAmifostine
PubMed HealthAmifostine (Injection)
Drug ClassesCytoprotective Agent
Drug LabelAmifostine for Injection is an organic thiophosphate cytoprotective agent known chemically as 2-[(3-aminopropyl)amino]ethanethiol dihydrogen phosphate (ester) and has the following structural formula: H2N(CH2)3NH(CH2)2S-PO3H2Amifostine is a white cry...
Active IngredientAmifostine
Dosage FormInjectable
RouteInjection
Strength500mg/vial
Market StatusPrescription
CompanySun Pharma Global

4 of 4  
Drug NameEthyol
PubMed HealthAmifostine (Injection)
Drug ClassesCytoprotective Agent
Active IngredientAmifostine
Dosage FormInjectable
RouteInjection
Strength500mg/vial
Market StatusPrescription
CompanyMedimmune

4.2 Therapeutic Uses

Radiation-protective agents

National Library of Medicine's Medical Subject Headings online file (MeSH, 1999)


Amifostine is indicated to reduce the cumulative renal toxicity associated with repeated administration of cisplatin in patients with advanced ovarian cancer. /Included in US product label/

Thomson/Micromedex. Drug Information for the Health Care Professional. Volume 1, Greenwood Village, CO. 2007., p. 89


Amifostine is indicated to reduce the cumulative renal toxicity associated with repeated administration of cisplatin in patients with advanced solid tumor of non-germ cell origin. /NOT included in US product label/

Thomson/Micromedex. Drug Information for the Health Care Professional. Volume 1, Greenwood Village, CO. 2007., p. 89


Amifostine is indicated to reduce the incidence of moderate to severe xerostomia in patients undergoing post-operative radiation treatment for head and neck cancer, where radiation port includes a substantial portion of the parotid gland. /Included in US product label/

Thomson/Micromedex. Drug Information for the Health Care Professional. Volume 1, Greenwood Village, CO. 2007., p. 89


For more Therapeutic Uses (Complete) data for AMIFOSTINE (8 total), please visit the HSDB record page.


4.3 Drug Warning

Although hypocalcemia occurs only rarely during cytoprotective therapy with amifostine, serum calcium concentrations should be monitored in patients at risk of hypocalcemia, such as those with nephrotic syndrome or those receiving multiple doses of amifostine, and calcium supplementation initiated as necessary.

McEvoy, G.K. (ed.). American Hospital Formulary Service. AHFS Drug Information. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Bethesda, MD. 2007., p. 3782


Because nausea and/or vomiting occur frequently during amifostine therapy and may be severe, effective antiemetic therapy (e.g., an IV corticosteroid such as dexamethasone and a serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonist) should be administered prior to and in conjunction with amifostine therapy. Additional antiemetics may be required depending on the emetogenic potential of concomitantly administered chemotherapy or radiation therapy. In addition, the patient's fluid balance should be monitored carefully in those receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy.

McEvoy, G.K. (ed.). American Hospital Formulary Service. AHFS Drug Information. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Bethesda, MD. 2007., p. 3782


Patients also should be closely monitored during and after IV administration of amifostine for possible allergic manifestations, including anaphylactic reactions that have rarely been associated with cardiac arrest. If acute hypersensitivity reactions occur, the infusion should be immediately and permanently discontinued. The manufacturer states that epinephrine and other appropriate measures should be available for immediate treatment of such events.

McEvoy, G.K. (ed.). American Hospital Formulary Service. AHFS Drug Information. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Bethesda, MD. 2007., p. 3782


During infusions of less than 5 minutes' duration, blood pressure should be monitored at least before and immediately after completion of the infusion, and thereafter if needed. If hypotension requiring interruption of the amifostine infusion occurs, the patient should be placed in the Trendelenburg position and an iv infusion of 0.9% sodium chloride initiated in a separate line.

McEvoy, G.K. (ed.). American Hospital Formulary Service. AHFS Drug Information. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Bethesda, MD. 2007., p. 3782


For more Drug Warnings (Complete) data for AMIFOSTINE (9 total), please visit the HSDB record page.


4.4 Drug Indication

For reduction in the cumulative renal toxicity in patients with ovarian cancer (using cisplatin) and moderate to severe xerostomia in patients undergoing post-operative radiation treatment for head and neck cancer.


FDA Label


5 Pharmacology and Biochemistry
5.1 Pharmacology

Amifostine is an organic thiophosphate cytoprotective agent indicated to reduce the cumulative renal toxicity associated with repeated administration of cisplatin in patients with advanced ovarian cancer or non-small cell lung cancer and also to reduce the incidence of moderate to severe xerostomia in patients undergoing post-operative radiation treatment for head and neck cancer. Amifostine is a prodrug that is dephosphorylated by alkaline phosphatase in tissues to a pharmacologically active free thiol metabolite, believed to be responsible for the reduction of the cumulative renal toxicity of cisplatin and for the reduction of the toxic effects of radiation on normal oral tissues. Healthy cells are preferentially protected because amifostine and metabolites are present in healthy cells at 100-fold greater concentrations than in tumour cells.


5.2 MeSH Pharmacological Classification

Radiation-Protective Agents

Drugs used to protect against ionizing radiation. They are usually of interest for use in radiation therapy but have been considered for other purposes, e.g. military. (See all compounds classified as Radiation-Protective Agents.)


5.3 FDA Pharmacological Classification
5.3.1 Active Moiety
AMIFOSTINE ANHYDROUS
5.3.2 FDA UNII
ILA426L95O
5.3.3 Pharmacological Classes
Free Radical Scavenging Activity [MoA]; Cytoprotective Agent [EPC]
5.4 ATC Code

V - Various

V03 - All other therapeutic products

V03A - All other therapeutic products

V03AF - Detoxifying agents for antineoplastic treatment

V03AF05 - Amifostine


5.5 Absorption, Distribution and Excretion

Route of Elimination

After a 10-second bolus dose of 150 mg/m2 of ETHYOL, renal excretion of the parent drug and its two metabolites was low during the hour following drug administration, averaging 0.69%, 2.64% and 2.22% of the administered dose for the parent, thiol and disulfide, respectively.


Measurable concentrations of the active free thiol metabolite have been found in bone marrow cells 5 to 8 minutes after intravenous administration.

Thomson/Micromedex. Drug Information for the Health Care Professional. Volume 1, Greenwood Village, CO. 2007., p. 90


It is not known whether amifostine or its metabolites are distributed into breast milk.

Thomson/Micromedex. Drug Information for the Health Care Professional. Volume 1, Greenwood Village, CO. 2007., p. 90


Elimination /is/ primarily via rapid metabolism and uptake into tissues.

Thomson/Micromedex. Drug Information for the Health Care Professional. Volume 1, Greenwood Village, CO. 2007., p. 90


... Studies in rats using a single dose of amifostine showed that /with/ SC administration, there is no evidence of drug accumulation in either normal or tumor tissue, with tumor WR-1065 levels peaking just above the limits of quantitation during treatment. ...

PMID:12577236 Cassatt D, Fazenbaker C et al; Semin Oncol 29 (6 Suppl 19): 2-8 (2002)


The pharmacokinetics of the cytoprotective agent amifostine (EthyolR; WR 2721) and its main metabolites (WR 1065 and the disulphides) were studied in patients participating in two phase I trials concerning carboplatin or cisplatin in combination with amifostine. Patients were treated with a single dose or three doses of amifostine (740 or 910 mg/sq m). The single or first dose was given as a 15 min iv infusion just before administration of the chemotherapeutic agent. The additional two infusions were administered 2 and 4 hr thereafter. Amifostine was rapidly cleared from the plasma, due to, at least in part, the fast conversion into WR 1065. A biphasic decrease with a final half-life of 0.8 hr was observed. The active metabolite WR 1065 was cleared from the plasma with a final half-life of 7.3 +/- 3.6 hr. The short initial half-life of WR 1065 can be explained by its fast uptake in tissues and the formation of disulphides. The disulphides were cleared with a final half-life of 8.4-13.4 hr and were detectable for at least 24 hr after treatment. They may serve as an exchangeable pool of WR 1065. The amifostine peak values at the end of each 15 min infusion did not accumulate in the multiple dosing schedule. For WR 1065 a trend towards an increase in the peak levels was observed [C1,max: 47.5 +/- 11.9 uM, C2,max: 79.0 +/- 13.2 uM, C3,max: 84.8 +/- 15.1 uM, (n = 6)], whereas a trend towards a small decrease was observed for the peak levels of the disulphides [C1,max: 184.2 +/- 12.6 uM, C2,max: 175.0 +/- 23.7 uM, C3,max: 166.0 +/- 17.2 uM, (n = 6)]. This latter finding might suggest a saturation of the disulphide formation or a change in the uptake or elimination of WR 1065, which would result in higher WR 1065 levels in plasma and tissues, after multiple doses of amifostine.

PMID:9337685 Korst A, Eeltink C et al; Eur J Cancer 33 (9): 1425-9 (1997)


5.6 Metabolism/Metabolites

Amifostine is rapidly dephosphorylated by alkaline phosphatase in tissues primarily to the active free thiol metabolite and, subsequently, to a less active disulfide metabolite.


Amifostine is dephosphorylated by alkaline phosphatase in tissues primarily to the active free thiol metabolite and, subsequently, to a less active disulfide metabolite.

Thomson/Micromedex. Drug Information for the Health Care Professional. Volume 1, Greenwood Village, CO. 2007., p. 90


Within 1 hour after infusion of 740 to 910 mg per square meter of body surface area over 15 minutes or rapid intravenous injection of 150 mg per square meter body surface area over 10 seconds, urinary recovery of unchanged amifostine, of the disulfide metabolite, and the thiol metabolite accounts for only 0.69%, 2.22%, and 2.64%, respectively, of the dose.

Thomson/Micromedex. Drug Information for the Health Care Professional. Volume 1, Greenwood Village, CO. 2007., p. 90


This study investigated the metabolism of the radio- and chemoprotector compound, WR-2721 [amifostine; s-2-(3- aminopropylamino)ethylphosphorothioate], in the Balb/c mouse. ... It is known that /radiation/ protection requires conversion of the parent drug to its free thiol metabolite, WR-1065, in cultured cells. Because it is possible that metabolites of WR-1065 could be involved in protection and because thiols are metabolically very reactive molecules, we investigated the metabolism of WR-2721 using electrochemical detection-HPLC methods. The following are the major findings in this study: 1) WR-2721 drug was rapidly cleared from the bloodstream. Blood concentration of the parent drug decreased 10-fold 30 min after administration from the maximal observed value at 5 min 2) WR-1065 rapidly appeared in the perchloric acid (PCA)-soluble fraction of normal solid tissues. The highest WR-1065 concentrations in liver and kidney were 965 and 2195 mumol/kg, respectively, 10 min after parent drug administration, whereas for heart and small intestine the highest values were 739 and 410 mumol/kg at 30 min. 3) WR-1065 accumulated in the PCA-soluble fraction of two experimental tumors at a lower rate than for the other tissues.

PMID:7895607 Shaw L, Bonner H et al; Drug Metab Dispos 22 (6): 895-902 (1994)


5.7 Biological Half-Life

8 minutes


Approximately 8 minutes; less than 10% of amifostine remains in the plasma 6 minutes after drug administration.

Thomson/Micromedex. Drug Information for the Health Care Professional. Volume 1, Greenwood Village, CO. 2007., p. 90


The pharmacokinetics of the cytoprotective agent amifostine (EthyolR; WR 2721) and its main metabolites (WR 1065 and the disulphides) were studied in patients participating in two phase I trials concerning carboplatin or cisplatin in combination with amifostine. Patients were treated with a single dose or three doses of amifostine (740 or 910 mg/sq m). The single or first dose was given as a 15 min iv infusion just before administration of the chemotherapeutic agent. The additional two infusions were administered 2 and 4 hr thereafter. Amifostine was rapidly cleared from the plasma, due to, at least in part, the fast conversion into WR 1065. A biphasic decrease with a final half-life of 0.8 hr was observed. The active metabolite WR 1065 was cleared from the plasma with a final half-life of 7.3 +/- 3.6 hr. The short initial half-life of WR 1065 can be explained by its fast uptake in tissues and the formation of disulphides. The disulphides were cleared with a final half-life of 8.4-13.4 hr and were detectable for at least 24 hr after treatment. They may serve as an exchangeable pool of WR 1065. ...

PMID:9337685 Korst A, Eeltink C et al; Eur J Cancer 33 (9): 1425-9 (1997)


5.8 Mechanism of Action

The thiol metabolite is responsible for most of the cytoprotective and radioprotective properties of amifostine. It is readily taken up by cells where it binds to and detoxifies reactive metabolites of platinum and alkylating agents as well as scavenges free radicals. Other possible effects include inhibition of apoptosis, alteration of gene expression and modification of enzyme activity.


Amifostine is a prodrug that is dephosphorylated by alkaline phosphatase to an active free sulfhydryl (thiol) metabolite (WR-1065). The pharmacologically active free sulfhydryl is believed to bind to and detoxify cytotoxic platinum-containing metabolites of cisplatin and scavenge free radicals induced by the drug. Cytoprotection against cisplatin-induced toxicity appears to result from prevention and/or, to a lesser extent, reversal of DNA platination by the drug (cisplatin-DNA adducts). Healthy cells appear to be protected preferentially because of the increased cellular uptake of amifostine and more rapid generation of the active free sulfhydryl metabolite in these cells compared with malignant cells. Because healthy cells have better perfusion, higher capillary alkaline phosphatase activity, and higher pH than malignant cells, and actively concentrate amifostine while malignant cells absorb the drug passively, there is increased cellular uptake of amifostine and more rapid generation of the free active sulfhydryl; therefore, compared with malignant cells, healthy cells appear to be selectively protected by amifostine against cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity.

McEvoy, G.K. (ed.). American Hospital Formulary Service. AHFS Drug Information. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Bethesda, MD. 2007., p. 3782


Similar to the drug's chemoprotection, amifostine's radioprotective effect may occur preferentially in healthy rather than malignant cells secondary to the drug's increased cellular uptake and conversion to the active sulfhydryl. Amifostine's radioprotectant effect appears to be mediated at least in part by removal of oxygen from tissues. Sulfhydryl compounds such as amifostine also appear to protect cells from the cytotoxic effects of radiation by scavenging hydroxyl radicals and repairing radiation-induced DNA radicals through donation of hydrogen.

McEvoy, G.K. (ed.). American Hospital Formulary Service. AHFS Drug Information. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Bethesda, MD. 2007., p. 3782


Amifostine can lower serum calcium concentrations, including total, ionized, and ultrafilterable calcium, but clinically important hypocalcemia occurs rarely during cytoprotective therapy with the drug. The hypocalcemic effect of amifostine appears to result from inhibition of parathyroid hormone secretion and bone resorption and from facilitation of urinary calcium excretion.

McEvoy, G.K. (ed.). American Hospital Formulary Service. AHFS Drug Information. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Bethesda, MD. 2007., p. 3782


Amifostine (WR-2721) is an inorganic thiophosphate-cytoprotective agent developed to selectively protect normal tissues against the toxicity of chemotherapy and radiation. We have previously shown that amifostine protects both chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) vessels and cells from the effects of X-rays. In the present work, we studied the effect of amifostine on angiogenesis in vivo, using the CAM model. Amifostine decreased the number of CAM vessels in a dose-dependent manner, without being toxic for the tissue. It also decreased the mRNA levels of both vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) isoforms VEGF(165) and VEGF(190), 6 and up to 48 hr after its application onto the CAM. Similarly, it decreased the mRNA levels of inducible nitric-oxide synthase, 24 and 48 hr after drug application. Furthermore, amifostine decreased the deposited amounts of laminin and collagen I 24 hr after its application, without affecting the expression of the corresponding genes. The protein amounts and activity of matrix metalloproteinase-2 were not affected, whereas the expression of the corresponding gene was decreased up to 48 hr after drug application. Finally, the activity of plasmin was increased 6 hr after amifostine application and remained increased at later time points. These findings suggest that amifostine alters the expression of several molecules implicated in the angiogenesis process and affects the composition of the extracellular matrix in a way that leads to inhibition of angiogenesis. Such an antiangiogenic action of amifostine, together with its radioprotective effects, further supports its use in combination with radiotherapy for increased therapeutic efficacy.

PMID:12538828 Giannopoulou E, Katsoris P et al; J Pharmacol Exp Ther 304 (2): 729-37 (2003)


For more Mechanism of Action (Complete) data for AMIFOSTINE (7 total), please visit the HSDB record page.