Effectiveness and safety of pirfenidone for radiation-induced lung injury in non-small cell lung cancer: a retrospective pilot study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Radiotherapy (RT) remains a cornerstone in the treatment of thoracic malignancies; however, approximately one-third of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) develop Grade ≥ 2 radiation-induced lung injury (RILI). Despite its clinical significance, no pharmacologic standard of care has been established for RILI. Pirfenidone, an antifibrotic agent with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, has demonstrated potential in preclinical models of RILI. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of pirfenidone in NSCLC patients with RILI following thoracic RT.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 33 NSCLC patients diagnosed with Grade ≥ 2 RILI who received pirfenidone (400 mg three times daily) in combination with standard-of-care treat

SUBMITTER: Liu X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12403526 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature