Low-Dose Radiotherapy for Patients with Pneumonia Due to COVID-19: A Single-Institution Prospective Study

Area of Science:

• Radiation Oncology
• Pulmonology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• COVID-19 pneumonia can lead to severe respiratory distress.
• Conventional treatments have limitations in managing severe cases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT) in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.
• To assess the impact of LDRT on clinical recovery and inflammatory markers.

Main Methods:

• Fifteen patients with pre-ARDS COVID-19 pneumonia received a single 1 Gy dose of radiation to the bilateral lungs.
• Clinical follow-up and laboratory assessments were conducted up to day 14 post-LDRT.

Main Results:

• 73% of patients were discharged by day 28, with a median hospitalization of 20 days.
• Oxygen saturation (SpO2) improved significantly within 24 hours post-LDRT (p=0.016).
• Significant reductions in C-reactive protein (CRP) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) were observed within 24 hours; no organ toxicities were reported.

Conclusions:

• LDRT is a feasible and well-tolerated treatment option for COVID-19 pneumonia.
• LDRT may facilitate early clinical recovery in patients with severe pneumonia.
• Further research is warranted to optimize LDRT parameters for COVID-19 patients.