Mitigation of Radiation Pneumonitis and Fibrosis

Baltimore Va Medical Center, Baltimore MD

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This project will test the effect of enalapril, an angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor, to mitigate radiation pneumonitis and fibrosis in veterans undergoing radiation therapy for lung cancer. It is based on the hypothesis that human normal tissue radiation injury can be safely and effectively mitigated, and on our extensive studies of radiomitigation in experimental animals. Lung cancer is more common in veterans than in the general population; this project is highly relevant to the medical care of veterans. The specific aims are: 1. To test the benefit of enalapril, an angiotensin-converting-enzyme-inhibitor, to mitigate radiation pneumonitis and fibrosis in humans. a. Enalapril or placebo will commence right after the start of irradiation in patients undergoing radiation therapy for lung cancer, and their effects on radiation pneumonitis and fibrosis will be compared. Enalapril will be used rather than captopril, because enalapril is given in single daily doses. 2. To test the mechanism of mitigation of radiation lung injury by enalapril. a. Angiotensinogen, plasma renin activity, and angiotensin II will be measured as renin-angiotensin system markers in all subjects. b. The effect of enalapril on each marker will be assessed, as compared to placebo. 3. To confirm that enalapril in this use does not adversely affect cancer treatment outcomes. a. Cancer recurrence and death from cancer will be compared for the enalapril and placebo groups. These studies will be done in men and women undergoing radiation therapy for lung cancer. Enalapril, or identical-appearing placebo, will be started at the beginning of the radiation treatments. The effect of the enalapril or placebo will be tested by their effect on grade 2 or greater clinical radiation pneumonitis, by their effect on the renin-angiotensin system markers angiotensinogen, plasma renin activity, angiotensin II, and their effect on radiographic evidence of pneumonitis and fibrosis. The broad, long-term objective of our work is to achieve effective and safe mitigation o normal tissue radiation injuries for any tissue type. We and others have successfully mitigated normal tissue radiation injury (NTRI) of kidneys, lungs, skin, and brain, using laboratory rat models. The success of these human studies will have a high impact for subjects at risk of NTRI to the lungs. This will improve the health of veterans with lung cancer, which is highly relevant t the mission of the Department of Veterans Affairs. That success will be a significant impetus to extend the radiomitigation concept to other normal tissues at risk during radiation therapy, such as spinal cord or brain.