NCIt definition : The trihydrate form of a phosphorylated aminosulfhydryl compound. After dephosphorylation
of amifostine by alkaline phosphatase to an active free sulfhydryl (thiol) metabolite,
the thiol metabolite binds to and detoxifies cytotoxic platinum-containing metabolites
of cisplatin and scavenges free radicals induced by cisplatin and ionizing radiation.
The elevated activity of this agent in normal tissues results from both the relative
abundance of alkaline phosphatase in normal tissues and the greater vascularity of
normal tissues compared to tumor tissues.;