Background: To determine the efficacy, toxicity and pharmacokinetics of intrapleural cisplatin (CDDP) and etoposide as a treatment for malignant pleural effusions (MPE) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Methods: Seventy patients with MPE associated with NSCLC were enrolled in this study. In 68 patients, a catheter was inserted into the pleural cavity, within 24 h after complete drainage of the pleural effusion, CDDP (80 mg/m2) and etoposide (80 mg/m2) were simultaneously administered successfully via the catheter and the catheter was clamped. Seventy-two hours later, the catheter was unclamped to allow drainage. The catheter was removed when the accumulated intrapleural fluid decreased to 20 ml or less per day.
Results: The pharmacokinetic profiles showed high maximum concentrations of CDDP (free form, 88 microg/ml) and etoposide (182. 4 microg/ml) in intrapleural fluids. CDDP did not remain for a long period (free form, beta-phase half-life = 10.51 h) in the fluids, while etoposide persisted for a long period (beta-phase half-life = 62.53 h). The overall response rate was 46.2%, the median survival time 32.3 weeks, the 1-year survival rate 28.7% and the 2-year survival rate 12.8%. The most serious adverse reactions were WHO grade 3 anemia (3 patients), grade 3 nausea and vomiting (17 patients), grade 3 constipation (1 patient), grade 3 pulmonary toxicity (1 patient), grade 4 fever (1 patient), grade 3 infection (1 patient) and grade 3 mental disorder (1 patient).
Conclusion: Intrapleural administration of CDDP and etoposide was an effective and acceptable regimen for patients with MPE due to NSCLC.