Low Dose Radiotherapy in the Management of COVID-19 Pneumonia (LOWRAD-Cov19)

Purpose/objective(s) To evaluate the safety and efficacy of Low-Dose Radiation (LD-RT) to treat COVID-19 pneumonia. Materials/methods We conducted a prospective phase I-II trial enrolling patients ≥ 50 years-old, COVID-19 positive, with lung involvement at imaging study and oxygen requirement. Patients received 100 cGy to total lungs in a single fraction. Dose planning goals were PTV95 > 80% with Dmax 315, mild respiratory failure Results Forty-one patients were included. Three patients died Conclusion Our preliminary results show that LD-RT was feasible and well-tolerated treatment, with potential clinical improvement. Randomized trials are needed to establish whether LD-RT improves severe pneumonia.