LDThRT - COVID-19 [COVID-19]
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Low Dose Lung Radiotherapy to Treat COVID 19 Pneumonia (a phase I feasibility study)
IRAS ID
285167
Contact name
Dennis Hadjiyiannakis
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 12 days
Research summary
Background: The COVID-19 illness can range from mild to severe life-threatening disease with rapid deterioration over days to weeks. Severe disease is seen in 14% of those infected with an additional 5% deemed ‘critical’ and requiring admission to intensive care. Average length of hospital stay for those with severe disease is 22 days (survivors), and in those who do not survive is 18.5 days. The COVID-19 pandemic is causing unprecedented disruption and economic strain on health and social care services. It is thought that COVID-19 infection creates a severe inflammatory process within the lungs that can be fatal. Inflammation in the lungs impairs the transfer of oxygen and so severely unwell patients may require a mechanical ventilator to help support breathing; this is associated with higher risk of death.
Aim: To study the role of radiotherapy at anti-inflammatory doses for the treatment of COVID-19 related lung disease in patients at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals. We want to determine whether delivering low dose radiation to the lungs is feasible and tolerable and also whether radiotherapy helps to improve the amount of oxygen in the blood.
Eligibility: Adults aged >50 years who are hospitalised for confirmed COVID-19 but who do not yet require ventilator support for breathing and do not have any specific health concerns that would make them unable to receive radiotherapy.
Intervention: All patients will receive up to two treatments of low dose radiotherapy to the lungs in addition to the usual standard of care during their stay in hospital.
Data collection: Blood tests, chest x-ray, ECG, COVID-19 swab and observations will be checked pre radiotherapy, and then in different combinations at 48 hours after each treatment, and at 7 and 29 days after treatment. A CT scan of the lungs will be performed pre-radiotherapy and at 29 days after treatment.REC name
London - Bloomsbury Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/HRA/5014
Date of REC Opinion
16 Oct 2020
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion