Low Dose Radiotherapy in COVID-19 Pneumonia

SARS-associated ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome) is the most fatal outcome of COVID-19 systemic infection. To overcome the uncontrolled inflammation leading to ARDS and respiratory failure, several drugs have been investigated in this situation with the most promising results coming from anti-inflammatory agents that directly or indirectly inhibit IL-6 and its counterparts of inflammation. Low dose radiation, as opposed to high dose, has documented anti-inflammatory effects that are exercised through various mechanisms including decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6. In this pilot clinical trial, the patients are carefully selected according to inclusion /exclusion criteria and the clinical judgement of the multi- disciplinary team.Their diagnostic CT scan will be used to plan an AP/ PA radiotherapy treatment to both lungs and the set-up positioning information is obtained from anatomical landmarks. The patient will be referred for a fraction of 0.5 Gy to both lungs and for the next 28 days the clinical para-clinical and radiologic variables of disease severity will be monitored closely. Should the patient's clinical course indicate and the multi- disciplinary team approves, they may be subjected to another fraction of 0.5 Gy to a maximum of 1 Gy in two fractions at least 72 hours apart. All the patients will also receive the standard national protocol of COVID-19 management. A total of 5 patients will be enrolled in the RT arm, providing favourable results seen in the first set of patients, the team will decide on recruiting a larger number for a phase II clinical trial.