Early results of COVID-19 pneumonia cases treated with Ultra-Low doses of Radiotherapy (ULTRA-COVID study)

Abstract Introduction:Since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare system has focused its effort to find a treatment to avoid the fatal outcome of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Benefits and risks of systemic treatments are unclear. Radiotherapy could play a role in reducing the inflammatory response in the lungs and relieve life-threatening symptomsMethods:We designed a prospective study of Ultra-Low-Doses of Therapy with Radiation Applied to COVID-19 (ULTRA-COVID) for patients that are no candidates for invasive mechanical ventilation and show no improvement with medical therapy. (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04394182)Results:We present the preliminary results of two patients diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia treated with ULTRA-COVID. Significant clinical response is accompanied by lower radiological one, both have happened, achieving hospital discharge after 1 radiotherapy session over a period of 8 and 14 days, respectively.Conclusion:Preliminary clinical and radiological results suggest a potential benefit of treating COVID-19 pneumonia with ultra-LDRT.