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Low Dose Radiotherapy in COVID-19 Pneumonia

Phase 1
Conditions
COVID
SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome)
Interventions
Radiation: Low Dose Radiotherapy
Registration Number
NCT04390412
Lead Sponsor
Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences
Brief Summary

Moderate to severe cases of SARS-associated ARDS based on inclusion/ exclusion criteria and the decision made in multi- disciplinary team are treated with 0.5 Gy whole lung radiation.

Detailed Description

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.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
5
Inclusion Criteria
  • Confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis ( PCR or serologic or radiographic)
  • Presence of pulmonary involvement ( defined by P/F ratio or NIV need)
  • Less than 3 days since the onset of ARDS
  • Age > 60 years
  • ↑ IL-6 ( if available)
  • ↑ CRP
Exclusion Criteria
  • Lack of informed consent
  • Inability to transfer to the radiation unit
  • Hemodynamic instability
  • Septic shock and organ dysfunction
  • Severe ARDS P/F ratio ≤ 100 mmHg
  • History of cardiac failure
  • Contraindications to radiation

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Low Dose RadiotherapyLow Dose Radiotherapy0.5 Gy radiation to both lungs in an AP/PA fashion
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change from baseline blood oxygenation28 days

O2 saturation

Number of Hospital stay days28 days

Total days the patient is admitted to hospital

Number of ICU stay days28 days

Total days the patient is admitted to ICU

Number of intubation events28 days

Total number of intubations performed after the treatment

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
WBC28 days

Changes in WBC count if base-line is abnormal

CRPDay 5

Changes in CRP serum level

IL-6Day 5

Changes in IL-6 serum level

Platelets28 days

Changes in Platelets count if base-line is abnormal

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Imam Hossein Hospital

🇮🇷

Tehran, Iran, Islamic Republic of

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