Prophylactic effect of pentoxifylline on radiotherapy complications: a clinical study

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the prophylactic effect of pentoxifylline (Ptx) on complications related to radiation.

Study design and setting: Seventy-eight patients who had postoperative radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck were enrolled into a prospective study. Patients were randomly assigned to the Ptx group (40 patients) and the control group (38 patients). Ptx was given to the patients at a dose of 400 mg 3 times a day orally to a total of 1200 mg. We noted radiotherapy complications in each group.

Results: Four patients were not able to tolerate this drug due to the development of gastrointestinal symptoms and dizziness. Late skin changes, fibrosis, and soft tissue necrosis were more severely in the control group than in the Ptx group (P < 0.05). We could find no positive effects on acute skin reactions and pain (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: Our study suggests that Ptx has a prophylactic effect on the radiation complications. This can be explained by protective effect of Ptx against vascular pathology.