title: Treatment of primary or metastatic pleural effusion with intracavitary cytosine arabinoside and cisplatin. A phase II study.
abstract: Thirty-three patients with microscopically verified primary or metastatic malignant pleural effusion were studied: 7 had malignant mesothelioma and 26 metastatic pleural disease. The treatment was based on biochemical and clinical studies which show a synergy between cytosine-arabinoside (Ara-C) and cisplatin. These drugs were instilled in the pleural cavity at the dose of 100 mg for Ara-C and 100 mg/m2 for cisplatin. The cavity was drained after 4 h. If it was possible, the treatment was repeated weekly for 3 times and, after a 6-week rest, it could be started again with the same schedule. The overall response rate (complete plus partial remissions) was 74%. Toxicity was mild or moderate. We conclude that the combination of Ara-C and cisplatin is well tolerated and produces a high response rate in the treatment of malignant pleural effusions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Ospedale Carlo Poma, Mantova, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Aitini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cavazzini
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pasquini
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rabbi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Colombo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cantore
authors.forename: P P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Fattori
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pari
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bertuzzi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Smerieri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003561:Cytarabine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007322:Instillation, Drug; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D008875:Middle Aged; D016066:Pleural Effusion, Malignant / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012074:Remission Induction; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003561:Cytarabine; D002945:Cisplatin