Preliminary clinical observations of low-dose radiotherapy for eight cases of severe/critical COVID-19
10.3760/cma.j.cn112271-20230810-00039
- VernacularTitle:低剂量放疗治疗8例重型/危重型新冠肺炎的初步临床观察
- Author:
Jia LIU
1
;
Lan WANG
;
Chunhui GUO
;
Yang JIAO
;
Liang SUN
;
Linyun XIA
;
Jianjun QIN
;
Min JU
;
Yiling CAI
;
Jian WANG
Author Information
1. 南通大学附属江阴医院放疗科，江阴 214400
- Keywords:
COVID-19;
Low-dose radiotherapy;
Pneumonia
- From:
Chinese Journal of Radiological Medicine and Protection
2024;44(5):374-378
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To investigate the efficacy and adverse reactions of whole-lung low-dose radiotherapy (LDRT) in patients with severe/critical coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).Methods:Eight patients with severe/critical COVID-19 treated in the Jiangyin Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University from January to June 2023 who were treated with whole-lung LDRT after deteriorating or failing to improve post-medical treatment were enrolled in this single-arm phase I clinical trial. They received anterior-posterior penetrating radiation in a supine or prone position, with a total dose range from 0.5 to 1.5 Gy and a dose weight ratio of 1∶1. The oxygenation status, inflammatory markers, and imaging changes before and after radiotherapy were analyzed, and patients were followed up for acute radiation-induced adverse reactions.Results:One week after LDRT, the SaO 2/FiO 2 or PaO 2/FiO 2 indices increased in seven patients (87.5%), inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) decreased in seven patients (87.5%), and chest CT/chest radiographs revealed a significant reduction in the extent of pneumonia involvement in 5 patients (62.5%). No evident acute radiation-related adverse reactions were observed. Conclusions:Whole-lung LDRT with a dose range from 0.5 to 1.5 Gy can reduce inflammatory markers, improve clinical symptoms, and promote inflammatory absorption in patients with severe/critical COVID-19 who responded poorly to medical treatment while not inducing acute adverse reactions.
