Amifostine is a protective agent of normal tissue from adverse effects of 
radiochemotherapy. It is the prodrug that is dephosphorylated by alkaline 
phosphatase on plasma membrane into the active form named WR-1065. More than 90 
per cent of the drug is cleared from plasma in 6 minutes and the peak tissue 
concentration is 10-30 minutes after intravenous administration. Amifostine has 
the selective property to protect normal tissue but not cancer cells by mainly 
scavenging free radicals induced by radiation and chemocytotoxic agents. Both 
preclinical and clinical studies of this drug provide the significant protection 
of hematopoietic progentitors from a broad range of cytotoxic agents such as 
cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, vinblastine, carboplatin, mitomycin-C, fotemustine, 
doxorubicin, daunorubicin and radiation as well. Moreover, this drug can protect 
other normal organs or tissues including kidney, salivary gland, liver, heart, 
lung and small intestine. Amifostine is quite safe, the two major side effects 
are vomiting and hypotension, and the minor effects are flushing, sneezing, 
dizziness, chills, metallic taste etc. The drug was approved by the FDA of 
U.S.A. for use as a cytoprotectant in cyclophosphamide and cisplatin treatment 
for advanced ovarian cancer and non small cell lung cancer.