Can inhaled steroid medicine prevent lung inflammation after cancer radiation?

This trial is testing whether a medication called Budesonide, inhaled twice daily, can prevent or reduce radiation pneumonitis—a painful lung inflammation that sometimes develops after radiation therapy for lung cancer. Some participants will receive the medication along with their standard cancer treatment (chemotherapy or targeted therapy plus radiation), while others will receive standard treatment alone. The study will track participants for up to 12 months to see if the medication helps.

Radiation pneumonitis is a common and sometimes severe side effect of lung cancer radiation therapy that can cause coughing, shortness of breath, and reduced quality of life. This trial is testing whether giving this medication early and preventively might stop this complication from developing in the first place.