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Medicine Feb 2022Pleural effusion is characterized by excessive fluid collection in the pleural cavity. Black pleural effusion (BPE) is a rare entity with only limited scientific data....
BACKGROUND
Pleural effusion is characterized by excessive fluid collection in the pleural cavity. Black pleural effusion (BPE) is a rare entity with only limited scientific data. We aimed to review the current literature on black pleural effusion to characterize demographics, etiology, clinical presentation, pathological findings, available treatment strategies, and prognosis of this rare condition.
METHODS
We performed a systematic review of case reports and series and synthesized data on demographics, manifestations, management, and outcomes of patients with BPE. We searched Cochrane Library, PubMed, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar for any date until January 10, 2021. All studies (n = 31) that reported black pleural effusion in patients were added to the review. Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews registration number: CRD42020213839. Summary and descriptive analysis was performed on Jamovi version 1.2.
RESULTS
The mean age of 32 patients with BPE was 53 years, with male predominance (69%). The commonest risk factor was smoking (n = 9) followed by alcohol intake (n = 8). Dyspnea was the commonest symptom (n = 24, 75%). Pleural fluid was mostly exudative (n = 21). The commonest associated diagnosis was malignancy (n = 14), with 50% secondary to metastatic melanoma. The commonest intervention was therapeutic thoracocentesis (n = 25, 78%), and the effusion recurred in half of the cases where recurrence was reported (n = 13). In our review, we found the mortality rate to be at 20.8% (n = 20.8%). 58.3% of the patients were successfully treated and discharged home (n = 14).
CONCLUSION
Although rare, BPE appears to be a relevant symptom as it seems to be frequently associated with modifiable risk factors and underlying malignancy. Our systematic review substantiates a vital research gap as observational research is imperative to characterize BPE further and form a basis for designing tailored diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic strategies for BPE.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Exudates and Transudates; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasms; Pleural Effusion; Prognosis
PubMed: 35212269
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000028130 -
Critical Reviews in Oncology/hematology Apr 2022Advanced stage malignant mesothelioma (asMM) patients have poor prognosis. Several trials investigated the role of programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) and its ligand... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
Advanced stage malignant mesothelioma (asMM) patients have poor prognosis. Several trials investigated the role of programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) and its ligand 1 (PD-L1) immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in pre-treated asMM.
METHODS
A systematic review of the literature of clinical trials testing single-agent anti PD-1/PD-L1 ICIs in pre-treated asMM was performed. Objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) data were extracted. The predictive role of PD-L1 was assessed.
RESULTS
We selected 13 studies including 888 patients. ORR and DCR were 18.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 13.9-22.8%) and 55.4% (95% CI: 48.1-62.5%), respectively. Median PFS and OS ranged from 2.1 to 5.9 and from 6.7 to 20.9 months, respectively. ORR according to PD-L1 was 27.0% (95% CI: 18.7-36.2%).
CONCLUSIONS
Anti-PD-(L)1 ICIs might be considered a treatment option for chemotherapy-resistant asMM, even if reliable predictive factors are still lacking.
Topics: B7-H1 Antigen; Humans; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Lung Neoplasms; Mesothelioma, Malignant; Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor; Progression-Free Survival
PubMed: 35192932
DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2022.103639 -
Respiratory Medicine Aug 2018Advanced malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is generally treated with platinum/pemetrexed-based first-line therapy. Once the disease progresses, evidence for the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
Advanced malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is generally treated with platinum/pemetrexed-based first-line therapy. Once the disease progresses, evidence for the efficacy of palliative treatments is lacking, and platinum re-challenge or single-agent chemotherapy are commonly used. To assess the effects of cytostatic or targeted therapy for treating MPM, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Embase databases were searched to identify published articles on second-line treatments for recurrent or advanced mesothelioma. Inclusion criteria were publication in the English language, describing clinical trials with 20 or more patients, and evaluability for efficacy and for receiving second-line systemic therapies. Data were pooled using number of events/number of evaluable patients, median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), according to a fixed or random effect model. Pooled median OS was the primary endpoint.
RESULTS
A total of 49 eligible studies (n = 3938 patients; range, 12-400) were identified. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 3.4 months (95%CI 2.87-3.93). Median pooled OS was 7.86 (95%CI 7.01-8.72). The pooled overall response rate (ORR) was 8.63% (95%CI 6-11.26), and the pooled disease control rate (DCR) was 54.8% (95%CI 48.9-60.6). Median pooled OS with platinum- and pemetrexed-based chemotherapy were 7.93 and 7.78 months, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
There remains uncertainty about the ideal second-line agent for MPM. Based on this meta-analysis, palliative chemotherapy or other experimental agents can be considered for patients with MPM who desire further treatment after their disease has progressed, during or after first-line therapy.
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Clinical Trials as Topic; Female; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Mesothelioma; Mesothelioma, Malignant; Pemetrexed; Platinum; Progression-Free Survival; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 30053976
DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2018.06.026 -
Oncotarget Sep 2016Asbestos is a harmful and exceptionally persistent natural material. Malignant mesothelioma (MM), an asbestos-related disease, is an insidious, lethal cancer that is... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Asbestos is a harmful and exceptionally persistent natural material. Malignant mesothelioma (MM), an asbestos-related disease, is an insidious, lethal cancer that is poorly responsive to current treatments. Minimally invasive, specific, and sensitive biomarkers providing early and effective diagnosis in high-risk patients are urgently needed. MicroRNAs (miRNAs, miRs) are endogenous, non-coding, small RNAs with established diagnostic value in cancer and pollution exposure. A systematic review and a qualitative meta-analysis were conducted to identify high-confidence miRNAs that can serve as biomarkers of asbestos exposure and MM.
METHODS
The major biomedical databases were systematically searched for miRNA expression signatures related to asbestos exposure and MM. The qualitative meta-analysis applied a novel vote-counting method that takes into account multiple parameters. The most significant miRNAs thus identified were then subjected to functional and bioinformatic analysis to assess their biomarker potential.
RESULTS
A pool of deregulated circulating and tissue miRNAs with biomarker potential for MM was identified and designated as "mesomiRs" (MM-associated miRNAs). Comparison of data from asbestos-exposed and MM subjects found that the most promising candidates for a multimarker signature were circulating miR-126-3p, miR-103a-3p, and miR-625-3p in combination with mesothelin. The most consistently described tissue miRNAs, miR-16-5p, miR-126-3p, miR-143-3p, miR-145-5p, miR-192-5p, miR-193a-3p, miR-200b-3p, miR-203a-3p, and miR-652-3p, were also found to provide a diagnostic signature and should be further investigated as possible therapeutic targets.
CONCLUSION
The qualitative meta-analysis and functional investigation confirmed the early diagnostic value of two miRNA signatures for MM. Large-scale, standardized validation studies are needed to assess their clinical relevance, so as to move from the workbench to the clinic.
Topics: Asbestos; Biomarkers, Tumor; Computational Biology; Epigenesis, Genetic; GPI-Linked Proteins; Gene Expression Profiling; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Mesothelin; Mesothelioma; Mesothelioma, Malignant; MicroRNAs; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; Phenotype; Tissue Array Analysis; Tissue Distribution
PubMed: 27259231
DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9686 -
Medicine Jan 2017Although hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has been widely used to treat malignant ascites or as a preventive strategy for microscopic carcinomatosis... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Although hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has been widely used to treat malignant ascites or as a preventive strategy for microscopic carcinomatosis following surgical resection of abdominal tumors, application of hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy (HITHOC) in the treatment of malignant pleural effusion is limited. The objective of the current study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on the application of HITHOC in the palliative treatment of malignant pleural effusion.
METHODS
After thorough searching of online databases, total 27 articles were included into qualitative systematic review and 5 of them were used to conduct qualitative meta-analysis.
RESULTS
It was found that most of HITHOC was used in combination of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) including pleurectomy/decortication or after surgical resection of primary tumors, which mainly were lung cancer, thymoma or thymic carcinoma, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer. Patients who received HITHOC had significantly longer median survival length compared to the patients without HITHOC (Hedges g = 0.763, P < 0.001). In addition, HITHOC therapy was favored (Hedges g = 0.848, P < 0.001) in terms of median survival length, tumor-free survival rate, with tumor survival rate or Karnofsky performance status (KPS) scale.
CONCLUSION
HITHOC is a safe and effective therapy in controlling pleural effusion and increasing patient's survival rate.
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Chemotherapy, Cancer, Regional Perfusion; Combined Modality Therapy; Cytoreduction Surgical Procedures; Humans; Hyperthermia, Induced; Neoplasm Staging; Palliative Care; Pleural Effusion, Malignant; Survival Analysis; Thoracic Cavity; Thoracic Surgical Procedures
PubMed: 28072694
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000005532 -
Thoracic Cancer Apr 2022Breast and ovarian cancer account for over 30% of malignant pleural effusions (MPEs). Treatment of the metastatic disease requires control of the MPE. Even though... (Review)
Review
Hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy for the treatment of malignant pleural effusion caused by breast and ovarian cancer: A systematic literature review and pooled analysis.
OBJECTIVES
Breast and ovarian cancer account for over 30% of malignant pleural effusions (MPEs). Treatment of the metastatic disease requires control of the MPE. Even though primarily symptomatic, the treatment of the MPE can potentially affect the oncological course of the disease. The aim of this review is to analyze the effectiveness of intrathoracic chemotherapy in the treatment of MPE caused by breast and ovarian cancer.
METHODS
A systematic literature research was conducted up until May 2021. Studies published in English on patients undergoing either surgical or interventional intrapleural chemotherapy were included.
RESULTS
Thirteen studies with a total of 497 patients were included. Analysis was performed on 169 patients with MPE due to breast cancer and eight patients with MPE secondary to ovarian cancer. The pooled success rates of intrathoracic chemotherapy for controlling the MPE were 59.1% and 87.5%, respectively. A survival analysis was not possible with the available data. The overall toxicity of the treatment was low.
CONCLUSIONS
Intrathoracic chemotherapy achieves symptomatic control of the MPE in 59.1% of patients with metastatic breast cancer and 87.5% of patients with metastatic ovarian cancer. This is inferior to other forms of surgical pleurodesis. Data from small case series and studies on intraperitoneal chemotherapy show promising results. However, formal oncological studies on the use of intrathoracic chemotherapy for metastatic breast or ovarian cancer are lacking. Further prospective pilot studies are needed to assess the therapeutic oncological effects of this treatment.
Topics: Breast Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Hyperthermia, Induced; Ovarian Neoplasms; Pleural Effusion, Malignant; Pleurodesis
PubMed: 35194945
DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.14361 -
Epidemiology and Infection Feb 2022This review aimed to compare the clinical features and CT imaging features between patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and lung cancer and patients with PTB... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Comparison of clinical and imaging features between pulmonary tuberculosis complicated with lung cancer and simple pulmonary tuberculosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
This review aimed to compare the clinical features and CT imaging features between patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and lung cancer and patients with PTB alone. That would help to analyse the differences between the two and consequently providing a theoretical basis for the clinical diagnosis and treatment for the patients. Relevant case-control studies focusing on the clinical and CT imaging characteristics between PTB with lung cancer and PTB alone were systematically searched from five electronic databases. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for comparison. As of 2021-07-06, a total of 1735 articles were retrieved. But only 15 articles were finally included for meta-analysis. The results showed a higher proportion of irritable cough, haemorrhagic pleural effusion and lower proportion of night sweating in PTB patients with lung cancer than in PTB patients, and the differences were statistically significant (irritable cough: OR 2.43, 95% CI 1.43-4.11; haemorrhagic pleural effusion: OR 5.73, 95% CI 1.63-20.12; night sweating: OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.36-0.87). In addition, there are many differences in the imaging characteristics of the two types of patients. In conclusion, this review summarises the similarities and differences in clinical symptoms and imaging features between patients with PTB and lung cancer and patients with PTB alone, suggesting that we should be alert to the occurrence of lung cancer in patients with obsolete PTB relapse.
Topics: Case-Control Studies; Cough; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Pleural Effusion; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary
PubMed: 35105410
DOI: 10.1017/S0950268822000176 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jan 2018Malignant pleural mesothelioma is an almost always fatal tumour, for which palliative platinum-based chemotherapy is currently the standard treatment. Multimodal... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Malignant pleural mesothelioma is an almost always fatal tumour, for which palliative platinum-based chemotherapy is currently the standard treatment. Multimodal therapeutic strategies incorporating surgery, radiation therapy or photodynamic therapy and chemotherapy have been recommended for selected patients but there is no consensus about their effectiveness.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the benefits and harms of radical multimodal treatment options (including radical surgery ± radical radiotherapy ± photodynamic therapy ± systemic therapy) compared to each other or to palliative treatments, for people with malignant pleural mesothelioma.
SEARCH METHODS
We reviewed data from the Cochrane Lung Cancer group's Specialised Register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE and Embase. We also checked reference lists of primary original studies, review articles and relevant conference proceedings manually for further related articles up to 21 March 2017.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included parallel-group randomised controlled trials of multimodal therapy for people with malignant pleural mesothelioma (stages I, II or III) that measured at least one of the following endpoints: overall survival, health-related health-related quality of life, adverse events or progression-free survival. We considered studies regardless of language or publication status.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently extracted relevant information on participant characteristics, interventions, study outcomes, and data on the outcomes for this review, as well as information on the design and methodology of the studies. Two review authors assessed the risk of bias in the included trials using pre-defined 'Risk of bias' domains. We assessed the methodological quality using GRADE.
MAIN RESULTS
We conducted this review in accordance with the published Cochrane protocol. Two randomised clinical trials with 104 participants fulfilled our inclusion criteria. Both trials were at high risk of bias (for outcomes other than overall survival), and we rated the evidence as moderate quality for overall survival and low quality for all other outcomes. One trial compared combined extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) plus neoadjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy plus postoperative high-dose hemithoracic radiotherapy with combined EPP plus platinum-based chemotherapy. The other trial compared EPP plus postoperative hemithoracic radiotherapy with standard (non-radical) therapy alone following platinum-based chemotherapy (patients in the standard therapy arm received continued oncological management according to local policy, which could include further chemotherapy or palliative radiotherapy).For the first trial, median overall survival calculated from registration was 20.8 months (95% confidence interval (CI) 14.4 to 27.8) in the no-radiotherapy group and 19.3 months (95% CI 11.5 to 21.8) in the radiotherapy group. For the second trial, median overall survival was 14.4 months (95% CI 5.3 to 18.7) for patients allocated to EPP and 19.5 months (95% CI 13.4 to time not yet reached) for patients randomised to standard non-radical therapy. In the second trial, 12 serious adverse events were reported during the study period: ten in the EPP group and two in the non-radical therapy group. Overall health-related quality of life scores were not different between the two arms in either study. We could not perform a meta-analysis of the two included trials due to clinical heterogeneity. We also identified three ongoing trials evaluating the topic of our review.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
The overall strength of the evidence gathered in this review is low and there is a lack of available evidence to support the use of radical multimodality therapy in routine clinical practice (particularly as one trial suggests greater harm). Given the added cost of multimodality treatment and the possible increase in risk of adverse effects, the lack of evidence of their effectiveness probably means that these interventions should currently be limited to clinical trials alone.
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Combined Modality Therapy; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Mesothelioma; Mesothelioma, Malignant; Platinum Compounds; Pneumonectomy; Radiotherapy Dosage; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 29309720
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD012605.pub2 -
Cancers Jun 2019Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare neoplasm related to asbestos exposure and with high mortality rate. The management of patients with MPM is complex and... (Review)
Review
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare neoplasm related to asbestos exposure and with high mortality rate. The management of patients with MPM is complex and controversial, particularly with regard to early diagnosis. In the last few years, breath analysis has been greatly implemented with this aim. In this review the strengths of breath analysis and preliminary results in searching breath biomarkers of MPM are highlighted and discussed, respectively. Through a systematic electronic literature search, collecting papers published from 2000 until December 2018, fifteen relevant scientific papers were selected. All papers considered were prospective, comparative, observational case-control studies although every single one pilot and based on a relatively small number of samples. The identification of diagnostic VOCs pattern, through breath sample characterization and the statistical data treatment, allows to obtain a strategic information for clinical diagnostics. To date the collected data provide just preliminary information and, despite the promising results and diagnostic accuracy, conclusions cannot be generalized due to the limited number of individuals included in each cohort study. Furthermore none of studies was externally validated, although validation process is a necessary step towards clinical implementation. Breathomics-based biomarker approach should be further explored to confirm and validate preliminary findings and to evaluate its potential role in monitoring the therapeutic response.
PubMed: 31207975
DOI: 10.3390/cancers11060831 -
Cancer Cytopathology Feb 2022Cytology effusions are often the only material available for diagnosing malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). However, the cytomorphological features alone are not... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Cytology effusions are often the only material available for diagnosing malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). However, the cytomorphological features alone are not always diagnostic, and cytology samples preclude an assessment for pleural tissue invasion. Accordingly, immunohistochemical, soluble, and molecular biomarkers have been developed. The aim of this study is to provide quantitative evidence regarding the diagnostic performance of novel biomarkers. To that end, a systematic literature review was performed of articles dealing with a loss of BRCA1-associated protein 1 (BAP1), methylthioadenosine (MTAP), 5-hydroxymethylcitosine (5-hmC), glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), insulin like-growth factor II messenger RNA-binding protein 3 (IMP3), enhanced zeste homologue 2 (EZH2) staining, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A) homozygous deletion (HD) testing, soluble mesothelin, and microRNA quantification in cytological samples for the diagnosis of MPM versus reactive atypical mesothelial cells. Sensitivity and specificity were extracted, and a meta-analysis was performed. The quality of the studies was assessed with Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2, and the quality of the evidence was evaluated with the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. Seventy-one studies were included. BAP1 loss showed a sensitivity of 0.65 (confidence interval [CI], 0.59-0.71) and a specificity of 0.99 (CI, 0.93-1.00). MTAP loss and p16 HD showed 100% specificity with sensitivities of 0.47 (CI, 0.38-0.57) and 0.62 (CI, 0.53-0.71), respectively. BAP1 loss and CDKN2A HD combined showed maximal specificity and a sensitivity of 0.83 (CI, 0.78-0.89). GLUT1 and IMP3 showed sensitivities of 0.82 (CI, 0.70-0.90) and 0.65 (CI, 0.41-0.90), respectively, with comparable specificity. Mesothelin showed a sensitivity of 0.73 (CI, 0.68-0.77) and a specificity of 0.90 (CI, 0.84-0.93). In conclusion, some of the recently emerging biomarkers are close to 1.00 specificity. Their moderate sensitivity on their own, however, can be significantly improved by the use of 2 biomarkers, such as a combination of BAP1 and CDKN2A with fluorescence in situ hybridization or a combination of BAP1 and MTAP immunohistochemistry.
Topics: Biomarkers, Tumor; Glucose Transporter Type 1; Homozygote; Humans; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; Lung Neoplasms; Mesothelioma; Mesothelioma, Malignant; Pleural Neoplasms; Sequence Deletion
PubMed: 34478240
DOI: 10.1002/cncy.22509