Oligo-Fucoidan Decrease Lung Radiation Damage

Overview

Fucoidan is FDA approved and in common use for treatment of angina. These studies will advance that work to human use. Successful mitigation of lung radiation damage and heart toxicity will improve the quality of life in veterans and non-veterans who are treated for lung cancer by radiation, and may also improve cure rates of radiation therapy for lung cancer.

Description

This project will test the effect of Fucoidan to mitigate the lung damage that can occur as a side effect of radiation therapy for lung cancer. Thousands of veterans develop lung cancer every year, and are treated by radiation therapy. Studies of lung radiation injury in laboratory animals show that with Fucoidan, investigators can significantly reduce the severity of lung fibrosis and heart toxicity.1,2 Fucoidan is FDA approved and in common use for treatment of angina. These studies will advance that work to human use. Successful mitigation of lung radiation damage and heart toxicity will improve the quality of life in veterans and non-veterans who are treated for lung cancer by radiation, and may also improve cure rates of radiation therapy for lung cancer.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Ages Eligible for Study: 20-90 years old
2. Men and women undergoing radiation therapy for lung cancer，no matter the radiation therapy is for curing or for palliating.
3. Karnofsky performance status，KPS > 70
4. Absolute Neutrophils > 1000/mm^3
5. Platelets > 75,000/mm^3
6. Hematocrit > 25%.
7. Liver and kidney function tests will be within normal range
8. Baseline blood pressure will be systolic > 110 mmHg sitting

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients who get lung cancer but no need or without the willingness of radiation therapy
2. Patients who are taking antiHTN drugs
3. Women of pregnant, lactating, childbearing potential, or with the intention of becoming pregnant
4. Patients who are presently participating in another clinical study (except for follow-up surveys for study outcomes)
5. Patients who are judged to be ineligible for study entry by the investigator or subinvestigator