Reducing Respiratory Symptoms of Pulmonary Irradiation in Interstitial Lung Disease: A 2x2 Factorial Randomized Phase II Trial Testing N-Acetyl Cysteine and Dexamethasone
In this double-blind phase II randomized controlled trial, patients with lung cancer or ≤2 oligometastatic pulmonary lesions and a concomitant diagnosis of ILD who are planned for radical Radiation Therapy (RT) will be randomized using a 2 x 2 factorial design to oral N-acetylcysteine (NAC) versus placebo, and also to short course corticosteroids versus placebo.
• Lung cancer or 1-2 oligometastatic pulmonary lesions planned for radical intent radiotherapy \[minimal Biologically Effective Does (BED) of 48 Gy10 (Gray) or biological equivalent\].
• Pathologically (histologically or cytologically) proven diagnosis of cancer is not required, but strongly recommended.
⁃ If the risk of biopsy is unacceptable, pathologic confirmation is not required providing there is growth over time on Computed Tomography (CT) imaging and/or Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) avidity that is strongly suggestive of malignancy.
• Fibrotic Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) of any subtype, as diagnosed by a respirologist and confirmed by central review
• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-3
• Age ≥ 18
• Life expectancy \> 6 months
• Patients are allowed to receive anti-fibrotic agents used in the treatment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) or non-IPF fibrotic ILD (e.g. nintedanib, pirfenidone) and/or corticosteroids, if those are part of their current ILD treatment regimen. Other immunosuppressive drugs such as mycophenolate, azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab must be stopped for 2 weeks prior and 2 weeks after Radiation Therapy (RT).
• Concurrent standard chemotherapy is allowed where indicated. All other systemic therapies, including biologic targeted agents or immunotherapy, or any drugs with known radiosensitive effects, must be stopped for 2 weeks prior and 2 weeks after treatment.