Amifostine for children with medulloblastoma treated with cisplatin‐based chemotherapy

In adult patients, amifostine appears to ameliorate cisplatin‐related nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. We assessed the safety and efficacy of amifostine in 11 children with newly diagnosed medulloblastoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor treated with radiotherapy and vincristine, lomustine, and cisplatin. Amifostine was administered immediately prior to and 4 hr into the cisplatin infusion. Amifostine caused assymptomatic hypotension and hypocalcemia in 18 and 82% of patients, respectively. Despite amifostine use, 78% of patients developed significant ototoxicity. Although relatively well tolerated, amifostine does not appear to have a major impact on ameliorating the risk of developing significant nephro‐ and ototoxicity in children with medulloblastoma. Larger studies will help clarify these findings. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2004;43:780–784. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.