title: Intrapleural natural beta interferon in the treatment of malignant pleural effusions.
abstract: Effusion recurrence is a major problem in the palliative care of patients with disseminated cancer. Thirty-two patients with recurrent malignant pleural effusions were treated with intracavitary natural beta-interferon at increasing doses (5-20 million units) for a maximum of three administrations. Among 29 evaluable patients, 11 showed complete (27.6%) or partial (10.3%) remission. No difference in response rate was observed according to sex, age, and histological type. All the responses were observed in patients with an effusion volume less than 1,000 ml (11/16; 68.8%). No side effect was observed. In conclusion, intrapleural beta-interferon is promising as a palliative in the treatment of recurrent malignant effusions.
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000150:complications; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000150:complications; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000150:complications; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000150:complications; D010166:Palliative Care; D010994:Pleura; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012008:Recurrence
chemical_list: D007370:Interferon Type I