Abstract
A cytokine storm induced by SARS-Cov2 may produce pneumonitis which may be fatal for older patients with underlying lung disease. Hyper-elevation of Interleukin1 (IL-1), Tumor necrosis factor-1alfa (TNF-1 alfa), and Interleukin 6 (IL-6) produced by inflammatory macrophage M1 may damage the lung alveoli leading to severe pneumonitis, decreased oxygenation, and potential death despite artificial ventilation. Older patients may not be suitable candidates for pharmaceutical intervention targeting IL-1/6 blockade or artificial ventilation. Low dose total lung (LDTL) irradiation at a single dose of 50 cGy may stop this cytokine cascade, thus preventing, and/or reversing normal organs damage. This therapy has been proven in the past to be effective against pneumonitis of diverse etiology and could be used to prevent death of older infected patients. Thus, LDRT radiotherapy may be a cost-effective treatment for this frail patient population whom radiation -induced malignancy is not a concern because of their advanced age. This hypothesis should be tested in future prospective trials.
Highlights
A cytokine storm induced by SARS-Cov2 may produce pneumonitis which may be fatal for older patients with underlying lung disease
This review addresses the potential of radiotherapy as a cost-effective treatment for older patients with multiple co-morbidities which preclude them from intensive care unit (ICU) admission and artificial ventilation
It is postulated that the intense inflammation observed in the lung parenchyma (ARDS) is due to an inflammatory cascade characterized by elevation of Interleukin1 (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor 1 (TNF-1alfa) and interleukin 6 (IL6) produced by inflammatory macrophage M1 [4]
Summary
Whole-lung Low Dose Irradiation for SARS-Cov Induced Pneumonia in the Geriatric Population: An Old Effective Treatment for a New Disease? Recommendation of the International Geriatric Radiotherapy Group.
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