Is Systemic Anticancer Therapy Associated With Higher Rates of Malignant Pleural Effusion Control in People With Pharmacologically Sensitive Tumors? A Retrospective Analysis of Prospectively Collected Data

Nina Holling, Sonia Patole, Andrew R L Medford, Nick A Maskell, Anna C Bibby

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

10 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Malignant pleural effusions (MPEs) often cause symptoms, and guidelines recommend early definitive intervention. However, observational data suggest that systemic anticancer treatment (SACT) may control MPE because of certain pharmacologically sensitive tumors.

RESEARCH QUESTION: Is SACT associated with higher rates of MPE resolution in people with pharmacologically sensitive tumors?

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from an observational cohort study of people diagnosed with MPE from lung, breast, ovarian, and hematologic malignancy between May 11, 2008, and August 6, 2017. MPE resolution (defined as radiologic resolution with removal of drain or catheter and cessation of interventions) was compared in pharmacologically sensitive (high-grade lymphoma, small cell or target-mutation-positive lung cancer, and hormone-receptor-positive breast or ovarian cancer) and nonsensitive (remainder of cohort) tumors, with and without SACT. Secondary outcomes included time to resolution, 3-month resolution rates, and total pleural interventions.

RESULTS: Of 280 patients, 127 had sensitive and 153 had nonsensitive tumors. One hundred seventy-one received SACT, and 109 did not. More patients with sensitive tumors achieved MPE resolution than those with nonsensitive tumors (53/127 [41.7%] vs 42/153 [27.5%]; P = .01), and this occurred predominantly after receipt of SACT. However, hematologic malignancies were overrepresented in the sensitive group, with high rates of SACT use and MPE resolution. After adjustment for this and other confounders, no relationship was found among pharmacologic sensitivity, SACT, and MPE resolution (adjusted OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 0.5-4.1). The strongest predictor of MPE resolution was administration of chemical pleurodesis (adjusted OR, 6.2; 95% CI, 3.3-11.7). In sensitive tumors, MPE resolution occurred without chemical pleurodesis in 14 or 52 patients (26.9%; 95% CI, 15.6%-41.1%) after SACT and in 5 of 22 patients (22.7%; 95% CI, 8.2%-47.2%) without SACT.

INTERPRETATION: In this observational study, SACT was not associated independently with MPE resolution in pharmacologically sensitive tumors. Randomized trials are required, but with current data, patients with symptomatic MPE should receive early definitive pleural intervention regardless of underlying tumor or intended treatment.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1915-1924
Number of pages10
JournalChest
Volume160
Issue number5
Early online date21 May 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Author contributions: N. H. A. C. B. and N. A. M. conceived and designed the study. N. H. A. C. B. S. P. and A. R. L. M. collected and analyzed the data. N. A. M. assisted with data analysis and interpretation. N. H. and A. C. B. wrote the manuscript, which was reviewed and approved by all authors. A. C. B. is guarantor for the data. Financial/nonfinancial disclosures: The authors have reported to CHEST the following: A. C. B. has received an unrestricted research grant from Fujirebio, outside the submitted work. N. A. M. has received grants from Becton Dickinson (BD) and Rocket Medical, outside the submitted work, and is a member of the advisory board for Becton Dickinson (BD). None declared (N. H. A. R. L. M. S. P.). Additional information: The e-Tables can be found in the Supplemental Materials section of the online article.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 American College of Chest Physicians

Research Groups and Themes

  • Academic Respiratory Unit

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