Methods and compositions for ameliorating the undesirable effects of chemotherapy

Abstract

In one aspect, the present invention provides chemoprotectant compositions that each comprise at least two of the chemoprotectants disclosed herein. The chemoprotectant compositions of the invention are useful, for example, for ameliorating at least one adverse effect of chemotherapy. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods of ameliorating at least one adverse effect of chemotherapy, the methods each comprising the step of administering to a subject undergoing chemotherapy an amount of a chemoprotectant composition that is effective to ameliorate at least one adverse effect of the chemotherapy.

1 - 5 . (canceled)  
   
   
       6 . A method of ameliorating at least one adverse effect of chemotherapy, the method comprising the step of administering to a subject undergoing chemotherapy an amount of a chemoprotectant composition that is effective to ameliorate at least one adverse effect of the chemotherapy, said chemoprotectant composition comprising a chemoprotectant selected from the group consisting of: L-methionine, N-acetyl-DL-methionine, S-adenosylmethionine, cysteine, homocysteine, cystathione, cysteamine, N-acetylcysteine, glutathione, glutathione ethylester, glutathione diethylester, glutathione triethylester, cysteamine, DiNAC, RibCys, RibCyst, β-LactCys, α-LactCys, MeliCys, MaltCys, CellCys, OTCA, allopurinol, 1-methylallopurinol, 2-methylallopurinol, 5-methylallopurinol, 7-methylallopurinol, 1,5-dimethylallopurinol, 2,5-dimethylallopurinol, 1,7-dimethylallopurinol, 2,7-dimethylallopurinol, 5,7-dimethylallopurinol, 2,5,7-trimethylallopurinol, 1-ethoxycarbonylallopurinol, 1-ethoxycarbonyl-5-methylallopurinol, 2-phenyl-1,2-benzoisoselenazol-3(2H)-one, and 6-diSeCD.  
   
   
       7 . A method of  claim 6  wherein said chemoprotectant composition comprises a chemoprotectant selected from the group consisting of allopurinol, 2-phenyl-1,2-benzoisoselenazol-3(2H)-one, and N-acetylcysteine.  
   
   
       8 . A method of  claim 6  wherein said chemoprotectant composition comprises allopurinol and 2-phenyl-1,2-benzoisoselenazol-3(2H)-one.  
   
   
       9 . A method of  claim 8  wherein said allopurinol is administered in an amount of from 10 to 2400 mg/day, and said 2-phenyl-1,2-benzoisoselenazol-3(2H)-one is administered in an amount of from 5 to 5000 mg/day.  
   
   
       10 . A method of  claim 6  wherein said chemoprotectant composition comprises allopurinol and N-acetylcysteine.  
   
   
       11 . A method of  claim 10  wherein said allopurinol is administered in an amount of from 10 to 2400 mg/day, and said N-acetylcysteine is administered in an amount of from 5 to 5000 mg/day.  
   
   
       12 . A method of  claim 6  wherein said chemoprotectant composition comprises 2-phenyl-1,2-benzoisoselenazol-3(2H)-one, and N-acetylcysteine.  
   
   
       13 . A method of  claim 12  wherein said 2-phenyl-1,2-benzoisoselenazol-3(2H)-one is administered in an amount of from 5-5000 mg/day, and said N-acetylcysteine is administered in an amount of from 5 to 5000 mg/day.  
   
   
       14 - 17 . (canceled)