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Thariat J, Little MP, Zablotska LB, Samson P, O’Banion MK, Leuraud K, Bergom C, Girault G, Azimzadeh O, Bouffler S, Hamada N. Radiotherapy for non-cancer diseases: benefits and long-term risks. Int J Radiat Biol 2024; 100:505-526. [PMID: 38180039 PMCID: PMC11039429 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2023.2295966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The discovery of X-rays was followed by a variety of attempts to treat infectious diseases and various other non-cancer diseases with ionizing radiation, in addition to cancer. There has been a recent resurgence of interest in the use of such radiotherapy for non-cancer diseases. Non-cancer diseases for which use of radiotherapy has currently been proposed include refractory ventricular tachycardia, neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Alzheimer's disease and dementia), and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia, all with ongoing clinical studies that deliver radiation doses of 0.5-25 Gy in a single fraction or in multiple daily fractions. In addition to such non-cancer effects, historical indications predominantly used in some countries (e.g. Germany) include osteoarthritis and degenerative diseases of the bones and joints. This narrative review gives an overview of the biological rationale and ongoing preclinical and clinical studies for radiotherapy proposed for various non-cancer diseases, discusses the plausibility of the proposed biological rationale, and considers the long-term radiation risks of cancer and non-cancer diseases. CONCLUSIONS A growing body of evidence has suggested that radiation represents a double-edged sword, not only for cancer, but also for non-cancer diseases. At present, clinical evidence has shown some beneficial effects of radiotherapy for ventricular tachycardia, but there is little or no such evidence of radiotherapy for other newly proposed non-cancer diseases (e.g. Alzheimer's disease, COVID-19 pneumonia). Patients with ventricular tachycardia and COVID-19 pneumonia have thus far been treated with radiotherapy when they are an urgent life threat with no efficient alternative treatment, but some survivors may encounter a paradoxical situation where patients were rescued by radiotherapy but then get harmed by radiotherapy. Further studies are needed to justify the clinical use of radiotherapy for non-cancer diseases, and optimize dose to diseased tissue while minimizing dose to healthy tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliette Thariat
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Centre François Baclesse, Caen, France
- Laboratoire de Physique Corpusculaire IN2P3, ENSICAEN/CNRS UMR 6534, Normandie Université, Caen, France
| | - Mark P. Little
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Lydia B. Zablotska
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Pamela Samson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - M. Kerry O’Banion
- Department of Neuroscience, Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Klervi Leuraud
- Research Department on Biological and Health Effects of Ionizing Radiation (SESANE), Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN), Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Carmen Bergom
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Cardio-Oncology Center of Excellence, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Gilles Girault
- Comprehensive Cancer Centre François Baclesse, Medical Library, Caen, France
| | - Omid Azimzadeh
- Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS), Section Radiation Biology, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Simon Bouffler
- Radiation Protection Sciences Division, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Chilton, Didcot, UK
| | - Nobuyuki Hamada
- Biology and Environmental Chemistry Division, Sustainable System Research Laboratory, Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry (CRIEPI), Abiko, Chiba, Japan
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Arenas M, Piqué B, Torres-Royo L, Acosta JC, Rodríguez-Tomàs E, De Febrer G, Vasco C, Araguas P, Gómez JA, Malave B, Árquez M, Algara M, Montero A, Montero M, Simó JM, Gabaldó X, Parada D, Riu F, Sabater S, Camps J, Joven J. Treatment of COVID-19 pneumonia with low-dose radiotherapy plus standard of care versus standard of care alone in frail patients : The SEOR-GICOR IPACOVID comparative cohort trial. Strahlenther Onkol 2023; 199:847-856. [PMID: 37000224 PMCID: PMC10064634 DOI: 10.1007/s00066-023-02067-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess the efficacy of lung low-dose radiotherapy (LD-RT) in the treatment of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ambispective study with two cohorts to compare treatment with standard of care (SoC) plus a single dose of 0.5 Gy to the whole thorax (experimental prospective cohort) with SoC alone (control retrospective cohort) for patients with COVID-19 pneumonia not candidates for admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) for mechanical ventilation. RESULTS Fifty patients treated with LD-RT were compared with 50 matched controls. Mean age was 85 years in both groups. An increase in arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2)/fraction of inspired oxygen (PAFI) in the experimental LD-RT-treated group compared to the control group could not be found at 48 h after LD-RT, which was the primary endpoint of the study. However, PAFI values significantly improved after 1 month (473 vs. 302 mm Hg; p < 0.0001). Pulse oxymetric saturation/fraction of inspired oxygen (SAFI) values were also significantly higher in LD-RT-treated patients than in control patients at 1 week (405 vs. 334 mm Hg; p = 0.0157) and 1 month after LD-RT (462 vs. 326 mm Hg; p < 0.0001). All other timepoint measurements of the respiratory parameters were similar across groups. Patients in the experimental group were discharged from the hospital significantly earlier (23 vs. 31 days; p = 0.047). Fifteen and 26 patients died due to COVID-19 pneumonia in the experimental and control cohorts, respectively (30% vs. 48%; p = 0.1). LD-RT was associated with a decreased odds ratio (OR) for 1‑month COVID-19 mortality (OR = 0.302 [0.106-0.859]; p = 0.025) when adjusted for potentially confounding factors. Overall survival was significantly prolonged in the LD-RT group compared to the control group (log-rank p = 0.027). No adverse events related to radiation treatment were observed. CONCLUSION Treatment of frail patients with COVID-19 pneumonia with SoC plus single-dose LD-RT of 0.5 Gy improved respiratory parameters, reduced the period of hospitalization, decreased the rate of 1‑month mortality, and prolonged actuarial overall survival compared to SoC alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Arenas
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
- Institut d’Investigacions Pere Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
| | - B. Piqué
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Tarragona, Spain
| | - L. Torres-Royo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
- Institut d’Investigacions Pere Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
| | - J. C. Acosta
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
- Institut d’Investigacions Pere Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
| | - E. Rodríguez-Tomàs
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
- Unitat de Recerca Biomèdica, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
- Institut d’Investigacions Pere Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
| | - G. De Febrer
- Department of Geriatric and Palliative care, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Tarragona, Spain
| | - C. Vasco
- Department of Geriatric and Palliative care, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Tarragona, Spain
| | - P. Araguas
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
- Institut d’Investigacions Pere Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
| | - J. A. Gómez
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
- Institut d’Investigacions Pere Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
| | - B. Malave
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
- Institut d’Investigacions Pere Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
| | - M. Árquez
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
- Institut d’Investigacions Pere Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
| | - M. Algara
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
- Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d’Investigacions Mèdiques, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A. Montero
- Department of Radiation Oncology, HM Hospitales, Madrid, Spain
| | - M. Montero
- Department of Radiology, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Tarragona, Spain
| | - J. M. Simó
- Laboratori de Referència Sud, Hospital Universitari de Sant Joan, Tarragona, Spain
| | - X. Gabaldó
- Laboratori de Referència Sud, Hospital Universitari de Sant Joan, Tarragona, Spain
| | - D. Parada
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Tarragona, Spain
| | - F. Riu
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Tarragona, Spain
| | - S. Sabater
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Complejo Hospitalario de Albacete, Albacete, Spain
| | - J. Camps
- Unitat de Recerca Biomèdica, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
- Institut d’Investigacions Pere Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
| | - J. Joven
- Unitat de Recerca Biomèdica, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
- Institut d’Investigacions Pere Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
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Low-Dose Radiotherapy for Patients with Pneumonia Due to COVID-19: A Single-Institution Prospective Study. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11030858. [PMID: 36979837 PMCID: PMC10045009 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Results of the low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT) in patients with pneumonia due to COVID-19 has been presented. Methods: Fifteen patients received a single-fraction radiation dose of 1 Gy to the bilateral lungs due to pre-ARDS pneumonia in the course of COVID-19. Follow-up was performed on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 14 after LDRT. Results: Eleven patients (73%) were released up until day 28. Median hospitalization was 20 days; 28-day mortality was 13%. Median O2 saturation improved within 24 h after LDRT in 14/15, with median SpO2 values of 84.5% vs. 87.5% p = 0.016, respectively. At day 14 of hospitalization, 46% did not require oxygen supplementation. Significant decline in CRP and IL-6 was observed within 24 h post LDRT. No organ toxicities were noted. Conclusion: LDRT is feasible, well tolerated and may translate to early clinical recovery in patients with severe pneumonia. Further studies are needed to determine optimal candidate, time and dose of LDRT for COVID-19 patients with pneumonia.
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Low-Dose Radiation Therapy (LDRT) against Cancer and Inflammatory or Degenerative Diseases: Three Parallel Stories with a Common Molecular Mechanism Involving the Nucleoshuttling of the ATM Protein? Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15051482. [PMID: 36900274 PMCID: PMC10000719 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15051482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Very early after their discovery, X-rays were used in multiple medical applications, such as treatments against cancer, inflammation and pain. Because of technological constraints, such applications involved X-ray doses lower than 1 Gy per session. Progressively, notably in oncology, the dose per session increased. However, the approach of delivering less than 1 Gy per session, now called low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT), was preserved and is still applied in very specific cases. More recently, LDRT has also been applied in some trials to protect against lung inflammation after COVID-19 infection or to treat degenerative syndromes such as Alzheimer's disease. LDRT illustrates well the discontinuity of the dose-response curve and the counterintuitive observation that a low dose may produce a biological effect higher than a certain higher dose. Even if further investigations are needed to document and optimize LDRT, the apparent paradox of some radiobiological effects specific to low dose may be explained by the same mechanistic model based on the radiation-induced nucleoshuttling of the ATM kinase, a protein involved in various stress response pathways.
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Little MP, Zhang W, van Dusen R, Hamada N, Bugden M, Cao M, Thomas K, Li D, Wang Y, Chandrashekhar M, Khan MK, Coleman CN. Low-dose radiotherapy for COVID-19 pneumonia and cancer: summary of a recent symposium and future perspectives. Int J Radiat Biol 2023; 99:357-371. [PMID: 35511152 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2022.2074165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The lessons learned from the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are numerous. Low dose radiotherapy (LDRT) was used in the pre-antibiotic era as treatment for bacterially/virally associated pneumonia. Motivated in part by these historic clinical and radiobiological data, LDRT for treatment of COVID-19-associated pneumonia was proposed in early 2020. Although there is a large body of epidemiological and experimental data pointing to effects such as cancer at low doses, there is some evidence of beneficial health effects at low doses. It has been hypothesized that low dose radiation could be combined with immune checkpoint therapy to treat cancer. We shall review here some of these old radiobiological and epidemiological data, as well as the newer data on low dose radiation and stimulated immune response and other relevant emerging data. The paper includes a summary of several oral presentations given in a Symposium on "Low dose RT for COVID and other inflammatory diseases" as part of the 67th Annual Meeting of the Radiation Research Society, held virtually 3-6 October 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark P Little
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, NIH, DHHS, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Wei Zhang
- Radiation Effects Department, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Chilton, UK
| | - Roy van Dusen
- Information Management Services, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Nobuyuki Hamada
- Biology and Environmental Chemistry Division, Sustainable System Research Laboratory, Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry (CRIEPI), Komae, Japan
| | - Michelle Bugden
- Radiobiology and Health Branch, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, Chalk River, Canada
| | - Meiyun Cao
- Radiobiology and Health Branch, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, Chalk River, Canada
| | - Kiersten Thomas
- Radiobiology and Health Branch, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, Chalk River, Canada
| | - Deyang Li
- Radiobiology and Health Branch, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, Chalk River, Canada
| | - Yi Wang
- Radiobiology and Health Branch, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, Chalk River, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Megha Chandrashekhar
- Radiobiology and Health Branch, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, Chalk River, Canada
| | - Mohammad K Khan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - C Norman Coleman
- Radiation Research Program, Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, DHHS, Rockville, MD, USA
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Piqué B, Peña K, Riu F, Acosta JC, Torres-Royo L, Malave B, Araguas P, Benavides R, de Febrer G, Camps J, Joven J, Arenas M, Parada D. SARS-CoV-2 Serum Viral Load and Prognostic Markers Proposal for COVID-19 Pneumonia in Low-Dose Radiation Therapy Treated Patients. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12030798. [PMID: 36769445 PMCID: PMC9918037 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12030798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Several studies have shown that the plasma RNA of SARS-CoV-2 seems to be associated with a worse prognosis of COVID-19. In the present study, we investigated plasma RNA in COVID-19 patients treated with low-dose radiotherapy to determine its prognostic value. Data were collected from the IPACOVID prospective clinical trial (NCT04380818). The study included 46 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia treated with a whole-lung dose of 0.5 Gy. Clinical follow-up, as well as laboratory variables, and SARS-CoV-2 serum viral load, were analyzed before LDRT, at 24 h, and one week after treatment. The mean age of the patients was 85 years, and none received any of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine doses. The mortality ratio during the course of treatment was 33%. RT-qPCR showed amplification in 23 patients. Higher mortality rate was associated with detectable viremia. Additionally, C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase, and aspartate aminotransferase were significant risk factors associated with COVID-19 mortality. Our present findings show that detectable SARS-CoV-2 plasma viremia 24 h before LDRT is significantly associated with increased mortality rates post-treatment, thus downsizing the treatment success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berta Piqué
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Institut d’Investigació Sanitàri Pere Virgili, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43204 Tarragona, Spain
| | - Karla Peña
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Institut d’Investigació Sanitàri Pere Virgili, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43204 Tarragona, Spain
| | - Francesc Riu
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Institut d’Investigació Sanitàri Pere Virgili, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43204 Tarragona, Spain
| | - Johana C. Acosta
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Institut d’Investigació Sanitàri Pere Virgili, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43204 Tarragona, Spain
| | - Laura Torres-Royo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Institut d’Investigació Sanitàri Pere Virgili, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43204 Tarragona, Spain
| | - Barbara Malave
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Institut d’Investigació Sanitàri Pere Virgili, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43204 Tarragona, Spain
| | - Pablo Araguas
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Institut d’Investigació Sanitàri Pere Virgili, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43204 Tarragona, Spain
| | - Rocío Benavides
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Institut d’Investigació Sanitàri Pere Virgili, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43204 Tarragona, Spain
| | - Gabriel de Febrer
- Department of Geriatric and Palliative Care, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, 43204 Tarragona, Spain
| | - Jordi Camps
- Unitat de Recerca Biomèdica, Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43003 Tarragona, Spain
| | - Jorge Joven
- Unitat de Recerca Biomèdica, Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43003 Tarragona, Spain
| | - Meritxell Arenas
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Institut d’Investigació Sanitàri Pere Virgili, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43204 Tarragona, Spain
- Correspondence: (M.A.); (D.P.)
| | - David Parada
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Institut d’Investigació Sanitàri Pere Virgili, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43204 Tarragona, Spain
- Correspondence: (M.A.); (D.P.)
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Mohan DK, Nandhini K, Raavi V, Perumal V. Impact of X-radiation in the management of COVID-19 disease. World J Radiol 2022; 14:219-228. [PMID: 36160628 PMCID: PMC9350611 DOI: 10.4329/wjr.v14.i7.219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses are a diverse group of viruses that infect both animals and humans. Even though the existence of coronavirus and its infection to humans is not new, the 2019-novel coronavirus (nCoV) caused a major burden to individuals and society i.e., anxiety, fear of infection, extreme competition for hospitalization, and more importantly financial liability. The nCoV infection/disease diagnosis was based on non-specific signs and symptoms, biochemical parameters, detection of the virus using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and X-ray-based imaging. This review focuses on the consolidation of potentials of X-ray-based imaging modality [chest-X radiography (CXR) and chest computed tomography (CT)] and low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT) for screening, severity, and management of COVID-19 disease. Reported studies suggest that CXR contributed significantly toward initial rapid screening/diagnosis and CT- imaging to monitor the disease severity. The chest CT has high sensitivity up to 98% and low specificity for diagnosis and severity of COVID-19 disease compared to RT-PCR. Similarly, LDRT compliments drug therapy in the early recovery/Less hospital stays by maintaining the physiological parameters better than the drug therapy alone. All the results undoubtedly demonstrated the evidence that X-ray-based technology continues to evolve and play a significant role in human health care even during the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aishwarya T A
- Department of Human Genetics, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University), Porur, Chennai 600 116, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Divya K Mohan
- Department of Human Genetics, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University), Porur, Chennai 600 116, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - K Nandhini
- Department of Human Genetics, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University), Porur, Chennai 600 116, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Venkateswarlu Raavi
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University), Tamaka, Kolar 563 103, Karnataka, India
| | - Venkatachalam Perumal
- Department of Human Genetics, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University), Porur, Chennai 600 116, Tamil Nadu, India
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Piras A, Venuti V, D’Aviero A, Cusumano D, Pergolizzi S, Daidone A, Boldrini L. Covid-19 and radiotherapy: a systematic review after 2 years of pandemic. Clin Transl Imaging 2022; 10:611-630. [PMID: 35910079 PMCID: PMC9308500 DOI: 10.1007/s40336-022-00513-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Following the Covid-19 pandemic spread, changes in clinical practice were necessary to limit the pandemic diffusion. Also, oncological practice has undergone changes with radiotherapy (RT) treatments playing a key role.Although several experiences have been published, the aim of this review is to summarize the current evidence after 2 years of pandemic to provide useful conclusions for clinicians. Methods A Pubmed/MEDLINE and Embase systematic review was conducted. The search strategy was "Covid AND Radiotherapy" and only original articles in the English language were considered. Results A total of 2.733 papers were obtained using the mentioned search strategy. After the complete selection process, a total of 281 papers were considered eligible for the analysis of the results. Discussion RT has played a key role in Covid-19 pandemic as it has proved more resilient than surgery and chemotherapy. The impact of the accelerated use of hypofractionated RT and telemedicine will make these strategies central also in the post-pandemic period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Piras
- Radioterapia Oncologica, Villa Santa Teresa, Palermo, Italy
| | - Valeria Venuti
- Radioterapia Oncologica, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Andrea D’Aviero
- Radiation Oncology, Mater Olbia Hospital, Olbia, Sassari Italy
| | | | - Stefano Pergolizzi
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Department of Biomedical, Dental Science and Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | - Luca Boldrini
- Dipartimento di Diagnostica per immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, UOC Radioterapia Oncologica - Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
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9
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Sanmamed N, Alcantara P, Gómez S, Bustos A, Cerezo E, Gaztañaga M, Doval A, Corona J, Rodriguez G, Cabello N, Duffort M, Ortuño F, de Castro J, López A, Fuentes M, Sanz A, Vazquez M. Low-dose radiation therapy in the management of COVID-19 pneumonia (LOWRAD-Cov19). Final results of a prospective phase I-II trial. Radiother Oncol 2022; 171:25-29. [PMID: 35367528 PMCID: PMC8968128 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2022.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Background and purpose Material and methods Results Conclusions
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelia Sanmamed
- Radiation Oncology Department, Clinico San Carlos Hospital, Madrid, Spain; Investigation Institute, Clinico San Carlos Hospital, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Pino Alcantara
- Investigation Institute, Clinico San Carlos Hospital, Madrid, Spain; Radiation Oncology Department, Clinico San Carlos Hospital, Madrid, Spain; Faculty of Medicine. Complutense University of Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara Gómez
- Radiology Department, Clinico San Carlos Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Bustos
- Radiology Department, Clinico San Carlos Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Cerezo
- Radiation Oncology Department, Clinico San Carlos Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miren Gaztañaga
- Radiation Oncology Department, Clinico San Carlos Hospital, Madrid, Spain; Investigation Institute, Clinico San Carlos Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Anxela Doval
- Radiation Oncology Department, Clinico San Carlos Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Corona
- Radiation Oncology Department, Clinico San Carlos Hospital, Madrid, Spain; Faculty of Medicine. Complutense University of Madrid, Spain
| | - Gabriel Rodriguez
- Medical Physics Department, Clinico San Carlos Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Noemi Cabello
- Internal Medicine Department, Clinico San Carlos Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mercedes Duffort
- Internal Medicine Department, Infanta Leonor Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Amanda López
- Investigation Institute, Clinico San Carlos Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Fuentes
- Preventive Department, Clinico San Carlos Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alvaro Sanz
- Medical Oncology Department, Rio Hortega Hospital, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Manuel Vazquez
- Radiation Oncology Department, Clinico San Carlos Hospital, Madrid, Spain; Investigation Institute, Clinico San Carlos Hospital, Madrid, Spain; Faculty of Medicine. Complutense University of Madrid, Spain
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Ganesan G, Ponniah S, Sundaram V, Marimuthu PK, Pitchaikannu V, Chandrasekaran M, Thangarasu J, Kannupaiyan G, Ramamoorthy P, Thangaraj B, Govindaraj HS, Raguram SV. Response to “Comments on whole lung irradiation as a novel treatment for COVID-19: Final results of the prospective randomized trial (WINCOVID trial)”. Radiother Oncol 2022; 170:246. [PMID: 35283271 PMCID: PMC8907107 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2022.02.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Preliminary Approach to Implementing a COVID-19 Thoracic Radiation Therapy Program. Pract Radiat Oncol 2022; 12:363-366. [PMID: 35123063 PMCID: PMC8808431 DOI: 10.1016/j.prro.2021.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The value of low-dose whole thoracic radiation therapy (LD-WTRT) for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pneumonia is unknown. Should ongoing clinical trials demonstrate that LD-WTRT proves effective for COVID-19 pneumonia recovery, widespread rapid implementation will be helpful globally. Our aim was to outline a pragmatic process for safe and efficient administration of LD-WTRT to patients with COVID-19 pneumonia that could be implemented successfully in a community hospital setting based on participation in the PreVent clinical trial of LD-WTRT.
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13
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Abstract
PURPOSE Low dose radiation therapy (LDRT) using doses in the range of 30-150 cGy has been proposed as a means of mitigating the pneumonia associated with COVID-19. However, preliminary results from ongoing clinical trials have been mixed. The aim of this work is to develop a mathematical model of the viral infection and associated systemic inflammation in a patient based on the time evolution of the viral load. The model further proposes an immunomodulatory response to LDRT based on available data. Inflammation kinetics are then explored and compared to clinical results. METHODS The time evolution of a viral infection, inflammatory signaling factors, and inflammatory response are modeled by a set of coupled differential equations. Adjustable parameters are taken from the literature where available and otherwise iteratively adjusted to fit relevant data. Simple functions modeling both the suppression of pro-inflammatory signal factors and the enhancement of anti-inflammatory factors in response to low doses of radiation are developed. The inflammation response is benchmarked against C-reactive protein (CRP) levels measured for cohorts of patients with severe COVID-19. RESULTS The model fit the time-evolution of viral load data, cytokine data, and inflammation (CRP) data. When LDRT was applied early, the model predicted a reduction in peak inflammation consistent with the difference between the non-surviving and surviving cohorts. This reduction of peak inflammation diminished as the application of LDRT was delayed. CONCLUSION The model tracks the available data on viral load, cytokine levels, and inflammatory biomarkers well. An LDRT effect is large enough in principle to provide a life-saving immunomodulatory effect, though patients treated with LDRT already near the peak of their inflammation trajectory are unlikely to see drastic reductions in that peak. This result potentially explains some discrepancies in the preliminary clinical trial data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Kirkby
- Department of Medical Physics, Jack Ady Cancer Centre, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Oncology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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14
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Ganesan G, Ponniah S, Sundaram V, Kumar Marimuthu P, Pitchaikannu V, Chandrasekaran M, Thangarasu J, Kannupaiyan G, Ramamoorthy P, Thangaraj B, Sasipriya Govindaraj H, Vaishnavi Raguram S. Whole lung Irradiation as a Novel treatment for COVID-19: Final Results of the Prospective Randomized trial (WINCOVID trial). Radiother Oncol 2021; 167:133-142. [PMID: 34958809 PMCID: PMC8709793 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2021.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Background and purpose The ability of low dose radiotherapy (LDRT) to control the unprecedented cytokine release associated with COVID-19 pathogenesis has been an area of widespread research since the COVID pandemic. It has not been studied adequately whether the anti-inflammatory effect of LDRT provides additional benefit when used concurrently with steroids amongst other standard pharmacologic therapy. Material and methods 51 RT-PCR positive COVID-19 patients were recruited between November 2020 and July 2021. 34 patients were allotted to receive 0.5 Gy single session LDRT along with standard pharmacologic therapy while 17 patients received standard pharmacologic therapy alone. All had SpO2 <94% on room air, respiratory frequency >24/min and SpO2/FiO2 (SF) ratio between >89 but <357. All patients underwent a baseline CT scan. They were followed up for 28 days during when serial SF ratio, blood biomarkers (CRP, Serum ferritin, IL-6), Absolute lymphocyte count (ALC), repeat CT scan were performed at pre-defined time points. Results LDRT showed a statistically significant early improvement in oxygenation, an early time to clinical recovery, early hospital discharge and better radiological resolution compared to control group. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups with respect to ALC or blood biomarkers at any of the measured time points. The 28-day mortality rate did not show statistically significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion LDRT can be considered for selected oxygen-dependent moderate to severe COVID-19 patients for rapid relief of respiratory distress. It can be safely combined with standard pharmacologic treatment in such patients for added clinical benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Govindaraj Ganesan
- Harshamitra Super-Specialty Cancer Centre and Research Institute, Trichy, Tamilnadu, India.
| | - Sasipriya Ponniah
- Harshamitra Super-Specialty Cancer Centre and Research Institute, Trichy, Tamilnadu, India
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Prabhu Ramamoorthy
- Harshamitra Super-Specialty Cancer Centre and Research Institute, Trichy, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Brindha Thangaraj
- Harshamitra Super-Specialty Cancer Centre and Research Institute, Trichy, Tamilnadu, India
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15
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Ghaznavi H, Bevelacqua JJ, Mortazavi SAR, Mortazavi SMJ, Welsh JS. Comments on "Whole lung irradiation as a novel treatment for COVID-19: Interim results of an ongoing phase 2 trial in India". Radiother Oncol 2021; 167:323-324. [PMID: 34896158 PMCID: PMC8653397 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2021.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hamid Ghaznavi
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | | | - S A R Mortazavi
- School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran
| | - S M J Mortazavi
- Medical Physics and Engineering Department, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
| | - James S Welsh
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital Hines, United States; Department of Radiation Oncology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University, Chicago, United States.
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16
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Ganesan G, Ponniah S, Sundaram V, Marimuthu PK, Pitchaikannu V, Chandrasekaran M, Thangarasu J, Kannupaiyan G, Ramamoorthy P, Thangaraj B, Vaishnavi RS. Response to comments on "Whole lung irradiation as a novel treatment for COVID-19: Interim results of an ongoing phase 2 trial in India". Radiother Oncol 2021; 167:325. [PMID: 34896157 PMCID: PMC8653521 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2021.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sasipriya Ponniah
- Harshamitra Super-Specialty Cancer Centre and Research Institute, India
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Brindha Thangaraj
- Harshamitra Super-Specialty Cancer Centre and Research Institute, India
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