News Release

Efficacy and safety of pleurodesis for lung cancer patients with interstitial lung disease

Peer-Reviewed Publication

National Center for Respiratory Medicine

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Key findings

• Pleurodesis using talc or minocycline might be the treatment option against malignant pleural effusion (MPE) secondary to lung cancer with interstitial lung disease (ILD).

What is known and what is new?

• The efficacy rate of pleurodesis with talc and minocycline is about 70%. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) after pleurodesis with talc is a concern. The partially expanded lung before pleurodesis is known as the predictor of pleurodesis failure. The efficacy and safety of pleurodesis against MPE complicated with ILD have not been elucidated.

• In this study, excluding the cases of partially expanded lung, the efficacy rate of pleurodesis against MPE complicated with ILD was comparable to that of previous reports. Presenting ground glass opacity and consolidation treated with systemic prednisolone within 6 months before pleurodesis might be the risk factor for developing ARDS.

What is the implication, and what should change now?

• Pleurodesis against MPE might be the therapeutic option for patients complicated with ILD. However, two cases of ARDS were observed in the patients administered systemic prednisolone against ILD within 6 months before pleurodesis. The clinicians should carefully consider the indication for pleurodesis.

Publication: Iso H, Miyanaga A, Sato Y, Shirakura Y, Shinbu K, Inoue T, Nagano A, Misawa K, Tozuka T, Murata A, Higa K, Takeuchi S, Matsumoto M, Kamio K, Kasahara K, Seike M. Efficacy and safety of pleurodesis for lung cancer patients with interstitial lung disease. J Thorac Dis 2025;17(2):687-694. doi: 10.21037/jtd-24-1541


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