Pentoxifylline and alpha-tocopherol in prevention of radiation-induced lung toxicity in patients with lung cancer.

Combined use of pentoxifylline and vitamin E is reported to reduce radiation-induced toxicity in normal tissues at molecular level. We plan to evaluate the role of combined use of pentoxifylline (PTX) and alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E; Vit E) for minimizing radiation-induced lung toxicity. A total of 91 lung cancer patients were randomized.

Effect of concomitant use of pentoxifylline and alpha-tocopherol with radiotherapy on the clinical outcome of patients with stage IIIB non-small cell lung cancer: a randomized prospective clinical trial.

We evaluated the effects of pentoxifylline (PTX) and alpha-tocopherol on the clinical outcome of 66 patients with stage IIIB non-small cell lung cancer in a randomized clinical trial. All patients received 46 Gy of external radiotherapy to the primary tumor and regional lymph nodes, with an additional 14-Gy dose to the primary tumor. Thirty-three of the 66 patients also received PTX (400 mg, three times daily) and alpha-tocopherol (300 mg, twice daily) during radiotherapy, followed by 400 mg of PTX and 300 mg of alpha-tocopherol daily for 3 mo after radiotherapy.