Description:
A drug used to prevent and treat severe oral mucositis (mouth sores). It is used in patients with blood cancer who are being treated with high-dose chemotherapy and radiation therapy followed by an autologous stem cell transplant. It is also being studied in the prevention and treatment of common side effects in other types of cancer. Palifermin is a form of human keratinocyte growth factor that is made in the laboratory. It binds to certain receptors on the surface of cells in the lining of the mouth, stomach, and intestines. This may help protect healthy tissue from some of the side effects caused by certain types of cancer treatment. Palifermin is a type of cytoprotective agent. Also called Kepivance.
