Malignant Pleural Effusion Clinical Trials 2023

What Are Malignant Pleural Effusion Clinical Trials?

A Malignant Pleural Effusion (MPE) is the abnormal accumulation of cancer cells and fluid between the wall of the chest and the lungs. An MPE forms when the cells from lung cancer or other cancers such as the breast, lymphatic tissue, stomach, ovaries, colon, or kidney spread to the pleural space between the chest.

The symptoms of Malignant Pleural Effusion, according to the American Thoracic Society, are:

• Breathing difficulties when at rest or during an activity
• Pressure or pain in the chest
• Coughing
• Unable to or experiencing pain when breathing deeply
• Exhaustion
• Feeling feverish

Malignant Pleural Effusion is a severe and progressive disease, but there is still no cure. However, through clinical trials, medical science has established treatments for MPE, and research is ongoing to find medications to alleviate the disease.

Why Is Malignant Pleural Effusion Being Studied Through Clinical Trials?

The US Department of Health & Human Services (NIH) states that each year in the US, 150,000 new cases of MPE are recorded. This disease is often difficult to diagnose, and the prognosis is mostly fatal. It is, therefore, vital that scientists keep researching to find an effective therapy.

Through studies, scientists and doctors have established that the following studies in clinical trials are needed to treat all patients with this disease:

• Compare current treatments like thoracic surgery or a tube to drain the fluid as opposed to the popular pleural catheter (tunneled) to find out which is more effective
• Data studies to establish if the same treatments are being offered to inpatients and outpatients
• Study the methods of reviewing patient history and conducting imagery of the chest for diagnosis in outpatient clinics
• Data gathering and capturing to keep track of the effectiveness of pleural catheters

What Are The Types of Treatments Available For Malignant Pleural Effusion?

As per the American Society, Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the most common treatment is draining the pleural liquid. This can be done by using the following methods:

• Thoracentesis - is done by inserting a needle to remove the fluid.
• Tube Thoracostomy – a tube is inserted and left for a day or two to drain the fluid. Once drained, a chemical is injected to stick the rim of the lung to the wall of the chest.
• Catheter – a catheter is inserted into the fluid and can be left there for some time to continue draining.
• Stunt - A shunt is inserted during surgery to avert the fluid from one body area to another.
• Surgery is nonevasive and is done using the video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) technique. Surgery is usually done for biopsies or to get a closer look at the fluid in the pleural space.
• Chemotherapy – at times, chemotherapy is used to treat the disease.

What Are Some Recent Breakthrough Clinical Trials For Malignant Pleural Effusion?

Below are two clinical trials for Malignant Pleural Effusion disease:

2018: Safety and Effectiveness of a New Pleural Catheter for Symptomatic, Recurrent, MPEs Versus Approved Pleural Catheter (SWIFT) – This study assessed the efficacy and safety of a Silver Nitrated indwelling catheter. The outcome proved that the catheter was safe and effective in treating Malignant Pleural Effusion.

2015: Effect of Opioids vs. NSAIDs and Larger vs. Smaller Chest Tube Size on Pain Control as well as Pleurodesis Efficacy Among Patients With Malignant Pleural Effusion. The TIME1 Randomized Clinical Trial -this was the first therapeutic intervention trial for this disease. It was established that the pain medication did not help to alleviate the pain during the procedure to insert the tube.

Using a larger tube was found to be more effective, had less complications when inserted, and a lower rate of falling out.

Who Are Some Of The Key Opinion Leaders Conducting Malignant Pleural Effusion Clinical Trial Research?

Dr. Andrew J. DeMaio – is the Assistant Professor Department of Medicine at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. He treats patients who have Malignant Pleural Effusion. Dr. DeMaio was part of the research team to analyze pleural fluid to study the genetic mutations in patients with malignant pleural effusion.

Dr. David J. Feller-Kopman – is a medical doctor in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics. One of his specialties is managing and evaluating malignant pleural effusion. Dr. Feller-Kopman focuses his research on treating and improving the life quality of patients with this disease.