[Cisplatin and cytosine arabinoside (ARA-C) for the therapy of primary and secondary pleural neoplasms].

Abstract

15 patients with primary or metastatic pleural effusion were studied: 2 had diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma and 13 of metastatic pleural disease. The treatment used was based on in vitro and in vivo studies which show a synergy between ARA-C and Cisplatin. These drugs were instilled in pleural cavity at the dose of 100 mg./m2 for Cisplatin and 100 mg. for ARA-C. The cavity was drained after 4 hours. The treatment was repeated weekly. All patients had not been previously treated with loco-regional therapy. The response rate was 93% with 10 loco-regional complete remissions (66%). The two patients with malignant mesothelioma achieved a complete remission. The overall toxicity was acceptable. We conclude that combination of Cisplatin and ARA-C is well-tolerated and produces a very high response rate in the treatment of malignant pleural effusions.