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Purpose <p>The oncological treatment of breast (BC) and head and neck cancer (H&amp;NC) patients often includes radiotherapy. One serious side effect of this treatment is radiation-induced fibrosis (RIF), for which no established treatment currently exists. Studies have shown a&#xa0;potential effect of pentoxifylline and vitamin&#xa0;E on RIF. In this retrospective analysis, we investigate the effect of pentoxifylline and vitamin&#xa0;E on RIF in a&#xa0;cohort of BC and H&amp;NC patients.</p> Methods <p>Consecutive BC and H&amp;NC patients referred to the Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark, for treatment of severe and discomforting RIF during 2016–2023 were included. After initial evaluation, 61&#xa0;patients—29&#xa0;BC and 32&#xa0;H&amp;NC patients—started treatment with oral pentoxifylline 400 mg and vitamin&#xa0;E (290–350 mg) twice daily. In total, 54&#xa0;patients—24&#xa0;BC and 30&#xa0;H&amp;NC patients—were treated and finally evaluated. The endpoint was patient-reported and/or clinical treatment response.</p> Results <p>Overall, 18&#xa0;BC (75%) and 7&#xa0;H&amp;NC patients (23%) reported subjective improvement following treatment. A&#xa0;clinical treatment response with partial or complete regression of RIF was seen in all patients with subjective effect, except in one BC and one H&amp;NC patient.</p> Conclusion <p>Pentoxifylline and vitamin&#xa0;E might be an effective treatment for a&#xa0;selected group of patients with RIF. The therapeutic effect was more pronounced in BC patients compared to those with H&amp;NC. Further randomized and blinded studies in larger populations are needed to validate the findings.</p>

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Pentoxifylline and vitamin E for treating radiation-induced fibrosis in breast and head and neck cancer patients

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年6月20日

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  • M. Harpsø,
  • C. N. Andreassen,
  • B. V. Offersen

摘要

Purpose

The oncological treatment of breast (BC) and head and neck cancer (H&NC) patients often includes radiotherapy. One serious side effect of this treatment is radiation-induced fibrosis (RIF), for which no established treatment currently exists. Studies have shown a potential effect of pentoxifylline and vitamin E on RIF. In this retrospective analysis, we investigate the effect of pentoxifylline and vitamin E on RIF in a cohort of BC and H&NC patients.

Methods

Consecutive BC and H&NC patients referred to the Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark, for treatment of severe and discomforting RIF during 2016–2023 were included. After initial evaluation, 61 patients—29 BC and 32 H&NC patients—started treatment with oral pentoxifylline 400 mg and vitamin E (290–350 mg) twice daily. In total, 54 patients—24 BC and 30 H&NC patients—were treated and finally evaluated. The endpoint was patient-reported and/or clinical treatment response.

Results

Overall, 18 BC (75%) and 7 H&NC patients (23%) reported subjective improvement following treatment. A clinical treatment response with partial or complete regression of RIF was seen in all patients with subjective effect, except in one BC and one H&NC patient.

Conclusion

Pentoxifylline and vitamin E might be an effective treatment for a selected group of patients with RIF. The therapeutic effect was more pronounced in BC patients compared to those with H&NC. Further randomized and blinded studies in larger populations are needed to validate the findings.