Work

Amifostine Reduces Radiation-Induced Complications in a Murine Model of Expander-Based Breast Reconstruction

Year: 2014

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Immediate expander-based breast reconstruction after mastectomy is a prevalent option for many women with breast cancer. When coupled with adjuvant radiation therapy, however, radiation-induced skin and soft-tissue injury diminish the success of this reconstructive technique. The authors hypothesize that prophylactic administration of the cytoprotectant amifostine will reduce soft-tissue complications from irradiation, aiding expander-based reconstruction. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups: operative expander placement (expander group) and operative sham (sham group). Expander specimens received a sublatissimus tissue expander with a 15-cc fill volume; shams underwent identical procedures without expanders. Experimental groups were further divided into control specimens receiving no further intervention, radiation therapy-only specimens receiving human-equivalent irradiation, and amifostine plus radiation therapy specimens receiving both amifostine and human-equivalent irradiation. After a 45-day recovery period, animals were evaluated grossly and with ImageJ analysis for skin and soft-tissue complications. RESULTS: None of the control, radiation therapy-alone, or amifostine plus radiation therapy sham specimens showed skin and soft-tissue complications. For expander animals, significantly fewer amifostine plus radiation therapy specimens [four of 13 (30 percent)] demonstrated skin and soft-tissue complications compared with radiation therapy-alone specimens [nine of 13 (69 percent); p = 0.041]. ImageJ evaluation of expander specimens demonstrated a significant increase in skin and soft-tissue necrosis for radiation therapy-alone specimens (12.94 percent) compared with animals receiving amifostine plus radiation therapy (6.96 percent) (p = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: Amifostine pretreatment significantly reduced skin and soft-tissue complications. These findings demonstrate that amifostine prophylaxis provides protection against radiation-induced skin and soft-tissue injury in a murine model of expander-based breast reconstruction.

Source: Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

DOI: 10.1097/prs.0000000000000543