Polyamines and analogs for protecting cells during cancer chemotherapy and radiotherapy

A method for reducing or preventing hair loss in a patient undergoing treatment with a chemotherapeutic agent or radiation therapy, which comprises administering to the patient's scalp a pharmaceutical preparation comprising at least one polyamine effector and a topical delivery vehicle for locally delivering the polyamine effector to cells lining hair follicles, in an amount and for a time effective to reduce or prevent the patient's hair loss.

A method for reducing or preventing dermatitis or mucositis in a patient undergoing treatment with chemotherapeutic agents or radiation therapy, which comprises administering to the patient's skin or mucosal surfaces a pharmaceutical preparation comprising at least one polyamine effector and a topical delivery vehicle for locally delivering the polyamine effector to the patient's skin or mucosal cells, in an amount and for a time effective to reduce or prevent the patient's dermatitis or mucositis.

A method for reducing or preventing gastrointestinal distress in a patient undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy, which comprises administering to the patient a pharmaceutical preparation comprising at least one polyamine effector and a topical delivery vehicle for locally delivering the polyamine effector to the surface of the patient's gastrointestinal tract, in an amount and for a time effective to reduce or prevent the patient's gastrointestinal distress.

A method of treating cancer that increases a patient's tolerance to high doses of a chemotherapeutic agent or radiation therapy, the method comprising:

• a) administering the high dose of the chemotherapeutic agent or radiation therapy to the patient;
• and
• b) administering one or more pharmaceutical preparations for reducing or preventing one or more of chemotherapy- or radiation therapy-induced hair loss, dermatitis, mucositis or gastrointestinal distress, wherein each said pharmaceutical preparation comprises at least one polyamine effector and a topical delivery vehicle for locally delivering the polyamine effector to dermal or mucosal cells of skin, scalp, mouth, nasoesophageal, gastrointestinal or urogenital system of the patient, in an amount and for a time to reduce or prevent the one or more of the chemotherapy- or radiation therapy-induced hair loss, dermatitis, mucositis or gastrointestinal distress, thereby increasing the patient's tolerance to the high dose of the chemotherapeutic agent or radiation therapy.