Radiation Induced Lung Injury

Radiation-induced lung injury (RILI) is one of the most common thoracic-radiotherapy complications, with an incidence as high as 31.4 %. Multiple studies have shown that RILI can adversely affect patient prognosis by disrupting treatment schedules. Moreover, the widespread clinical use of immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has further increased pulmonary toxicity when radiotherapy (RT) is combined with ICIs. Checkpoint-inhibitor-related pneumonitis (CIP)-i.e., immune-mediated lung injury-may necessitate permanent discontinuation of ICIs, diminish survival benefit, and, in severe cases, directly threaten life. The diagnosis of both RILI and CIP is based on an integrated assessment of subjective symptoms and imaging findings.RILI typically occurs 1-3 months after completion of radiotherapy, whereas CIP may emerge at any point during treatment. The two entities share similar clinical presentations: fever, dry cough, chest tightness, dyspnoea, and pleuritic chest pain. Computed tomography (CT) is the most sensitive imaging modality. Pulmonary-function testing is another routinely used clinical metric; vital capacity, total lung capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁), and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) may all decline, with DLCO being the most sensitive parameter. In advanced cases, arterial oxygen and carbon-dioxide tensions may also deteriorate.Currently, RILI is managed empirically with systemic corticosteroids and supportive care; however, this approach yields limited improvement in diffusing capacity or ventilatory function, and its ability to prevent radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis (RPF) remains undefined. Corticosteroids also remain the mainstay of CIP therapy. Pirfenidone, a potent cytokine inhibitor, attenuates fibroblast activity by reducing production of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and fibroblast growth factor (FGF), thereby suppressing fibroblast proliferation and extracellular-matrix collagen synthesis. Pre-clinical efficacy studies have demonstrated robust anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-fibrotic effects in the lung.Because RILI and pneumonitis arising from combined radio-immunotherapy are often indistinguishable in clinical practice, and because both share pathogenetic features with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), the investigators initiated this phase II/III trial to address the unmet medical need for effective therapy. Building on prior pre-clinical and clinical data, the study aims to establish the optimal dose of pirfenidone capsules for RILI with or without concomitant CIP and to confirm efficacy and safety.Phase II (dose-finding): The study consists of a screening period (Day -28 to Day -1), a 168-day treatment-observation period (Day 1-Day 168), a safety follow-up (28 ± 7 days after the last dose), and subsequent disease-progression and survival follow-up. Ninety subjects with RILI, with or without CIP, who meet all eligibility criteria will be randomly assigned 1:1:1 to low-dose pirfenidone (400 mg TID), high-dose pirfenidone (600 mg TID), or matching placebo.Phase III (confirmatory): The dose of pirfenidone capsules for phase III will be determined jointly by the sponsor and investigators based on accumulated efficacy and safety data. The trial structure mirrors phase II: screening (Day -28 to Day -1), 168-day treatment-observation (Day 1-Day 168), safety follow-up (28 ± 7 days after the last dose), and disease-progression and survival follow-up. Eligible subjects with RILI ± CIP will be randomized 1:1 to receive either pirfenidone capsules (400 mg or 600 mg TID, taken with meals) or identical placebo. After completion of the 28-day post-treatment follow-up, all phase III participants will enter an extension phase for long-term survival assessment every 3 months (± 7 days).This trial will investigate the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) associated with pirfenidone capsules in patients with Grade 2 and 3 radiation-induced lung injury (RILI), with or without chemotherapy-induced pneumonitis (CIP).

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if using an incentive spirometer can reduce lung problems in people with advanced lung cancer who are receiving chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The main questions the study aims to answer are: Does using an incentive spirometer lower the chances of developing lung inflammation (pneumonitis)? Does it improve overall survival and quality of life? Participants will: Use an incentive spirometer, a device that helps with deep breathing, 10 times every hour while awake. Continue using the spirometer daily during treatment and for up to three months after treatment. Complete quality of life assessments at the start of the study and at 3, 6, and 12 months. Researchers will compare the results to see if the incentive spirometer helps reduce lung problems and improves participants\' well-being during and after their cancer treatment.

The goal of this study is to investigate the efficacy of \[68Ga\]CBP8 to detect collagen deposition in radiation induced tissue injury.

This prospective, single-center, single-arm study will evaluate the feasibility and safety of 4DCT ventilation functional imaging-guided functional lung avoidance radiotherapy (FLAR) in patients with lung malignancies receiving IMRT radiotherapy. All participants will undergo 4DCT simulation as part of routine radiotherapy preparation. A ventilation map will be generated from 4DCT data, and the top 80% ventilation region will be defined as the high-function lung. This structure will be imported into the treatment planning system to create an FLAR plan that prioritizes sparing of high-function lung while maintaining target coverage (PTV D95%) and meeting standard dose constraints for organs at risk. A conventional anatomic plan (without functional guidance) will also be created for paired, within-patient dosimetric comparison. The primary outcome is improvement in dosimetric sparing of the high-function lung (V10, V20, V30, and mean lung dose). Secondary outcomes include the incidence of grade ≥2 radiation pneumonitis (CTCAE v5.0), changes in pulmonary function (e.g., FEV1 and DLCO), and lung-related quality-of-life scores. Assessments will be performed mid-treatment (after 15 fractions), at the end of radiotherapy (after 30 fractions), and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after radiotherapy. The study plans to enroll 100 participants and follow each participant for 12 months.

This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (UCB-MNCs) therapy for radiation-induced lung injuryr (RILI) by observing factors related to the therapeutic effect and adverse reactions of UCB-MNCs in treating RILI .