Novel therapies for malignant pleural effusion: Anti-angiogenic therapy and immunotherapy (Review)

Abstract

Patients with a variety of malignancies can develop malignant pleural effusion (MPE). MPE can cause significant symptoms and result in a marked decrease in quality of life and a poor prognosis. MPE is primarily considered as an immune and vascular manifestation of pleural metastases. In the present review, the existing evidence supporting the applicability of anti-angiogenic therapy and immunotherapy for the treatment of MPE was summarized. Patients with MPE have benefited from anti-angiogenic agents, including bevacizumab and endostar; however, no relevant prospective phase III trial has, thus far, specifically analyzed the benefit of anti-angiogenic therapy in MPE. Immunotherapy for MPE may be sufficient to turn a dire clinical situation into a therapeutic advantage. Similar to anti-angiogenic therapy, more clinical data on the efficiency and safety of immunotherapy for controlling MPE are urgently required. The combined use of anti-angiogenic therapy and immunotherapy may be a promising strategy for MPE, which requires to be further understood.