Jacobson G, Bhatia S, Smith BJ, Button AM, Bodeker K, Buatti J, et al.
International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics. Date of publication 2013 Mar 1;volume 85(3):604-8.
1. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2013 Mar 1;85(3):604-8. doi:
10.1016/j.ijrobp.2012.06.042. Epub 2012 Jul 28.
Randomized trial of pentoxifylline and vitamin E vs standard follow-up after
breast irradiation to prevent breast fibrosis, evaluated by tissue compliance
meter.
Jacobson G(1), Bhatia S, Smith BJ, Button AM, Bodeker K, Buatti J.
Author information:
(1)Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics,
Iowa City, Iowa, USA. geraldine-jacobson@uiowa.edu
PURPOSE: To conduct a randomized clinical trial to determine whether the
combination of pentoxifylline (PTX) and vitamin E given for 6 months after
breast/chest wall irradiation effectively prevents radiation-induced fibrosis
(RIF).
METHODS AND MATERIALS: Fifty-three breast cancer patients with localized disease
were enrolled and randomized to treatment with oral PTX 400 mg 3 times daily and
oral vitamin E 400 IU daily for 6 months after radiation (n=26), or standard
follow up (n=27). Tissue compliance meter (TCM) measurements were obtained at 18
months to compare tissue compliance in the irradiated and untreated breast/chest
wall in treated subjects and controls. Measurements were obtained at 2 mirror
image sites on each breast/chest wall, and the average difference in tissue
compliance was scored. Differences in TCM measurements were compared using a t
test. Subjects were followed a minimum of 2 years for local recurrence,
disease-free survival, and overall survival.
RESULTS: The mean difference in TCM measurements in the 2 groups was 0.88 mm,
median of 1.00 mm (treated) and 2.10 mm, median of 2.4 mm (untreated). The
difference between the 2 groups was significant (P=.0478). Overall survival (100%
treated, 90.6% controls at 5 years) and disease-free survival (96.2% treated,
86.8% controls at 5 years) were not significantly different in the 2 groups.
CONCLUSIONS: This study of postirradiation breast cancer patients treated with
PTX/vitamin E or standard follow-up indicated a significant difference in
radiation-induced fibrosis as measured by TCM. There was no observed impact on
local control or survival within the first 2 years of follow-up. The treatment
was safe and well tolerated. Pentoxifylline/vitamin E may be clinically useful in
preventing fibrosis after radiation in high-risk patients.
Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2012.06.042
PMID: 22846413 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
