Radiotherapy against SARS-COV-2: Risk or benefit

Abstract

The noble coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 results in a devastating, multisystem disease among which COVID-19 pneumonia creates serious complications and most of COVID-19 related deaths. COVID-19 patients develop a systemic inflammatory response through interleukin (IL) and tumor necrosis factors. In COVID-19 patients, cytokine storm controlling is the key step for treatment because cytokine attacks own body cells instead of fighting with the virus. We reviewed several literatures to summarize the safety and efficacy of LD-RT in COVID-19 patients. Low dose chest radiation may reduce the inflammation in the lungs in severely ill patients. The radiation offset an immune system called AS a cytokine storm. Several randomized/non-randomized, single/multi-centered, open/close clinical trials are underway in U.S, India, Iran and around the globe. Early studies showed LD-RT reduces the inflammatory cytokines, time of hospitalization, duration of ventilation, and a number of deaths. However, some researchers warned for radiation-induced cancer (lung, breast, and esophageal) and cardiovascular diseases. So, further extensive preclinical studies should be conducted to identify the risk-benefit ratio in COVID-19 patients.