Radiotherapy as a Cure for Covid-19 Pneumonia: Is this a Possibility?

Abstract

The ongoing pandemic of COVID-19 caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has affected the healthcare system worldwide to a great extent. Millions of people have succumbed to the disease which might vary from mild febrile illness to severe Acute Lung Injury ultimately resulting in ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome). The mechanism of lung pathology due to SARS CoV-2 infection though unclear, is thought to be due to an imbalance in the inflammatory cascade; leading to a condition called Chemokine Release Syndrome. Low dose Radiotherapy which was historically used to treat Pneumonia, can serve as an approach for this subset of patients; by virtue of its anti-inflammatory response. Thus, in the present time, where a perfect cure is yet to derived all possible interventions should be looked upon with a ray of hope.

Keywords

• sars-cov-2
• covid-19
• pneumonia
• radiation therapy