Unethical not to Investigate Radiotherapy for COVID-19

6Citations
Citations of this article
50Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

This article is free to access.

Abstract

The primum non nocere letter by Boon et al. urged caution and careful examination of the evidence and logistics of low-dose radiotherapy in COVID-19 patients. This is exactly what was requested in March and what has occurred since late April 2020 when the first phase I/II clinical trial was approved at the Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University Hospital. The preprint of day-7 interim results by the investigators concluded, “In a small pilot trial of 5 oxygen-dependent patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, low-dose whole-lung radiation led to rapid improvement in clinical status, encephalopathy, and radiographic infiltrates without acute toxicity or worsening the cytokine storm. Low-dose whole-lung radiation appears to be safe, shows early promise of efficacy, and warrants larger prospective trials.” Preliminary results from another clinical trial gave similar results. In conclusion, the authors believe it would be unethical not to investigate radiotherapy as a potential remedy against COVID-19 induced pneumonia.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Cuttler, J. M., Bevelacqua, J. J., & Mortazavi, S. M. J. (2020, July 1). Unethical not to Investigate Radiotherapy for COVID-19. Dose-Response. SAGE Publications Inc. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559325820950104

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free