A meta-analysis of elemene versus DDP intrapleural injection in the treatment of malignant pleural effusion caused by lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of elemene versus DDP intrapleural injection in the treatment of malignant pleural effusion caused by lung cancer by meta-analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: PubMed (1960 ~ 2016.4), EMBASE (1980 ~ 2016.4), and CNKI (1979 ~ 2016.4) databases were searched to identify the clinical studies of elemene intrapleural injection in the treatment of lung cancer malignant pleural effusion. The odds ratio (OR) was used to evaluate the clinical efficacy of elemene in the treatment of pleural effusion compared to cisplatin (DDP).

RESULTS: Seven hundred and Thirty-two subjects with 14 studies were finally included in this meta-analysis. Meta-analysis demonstrated that the objective response rate in elemene group was much higher than that in DDP group (OR = 1.34, 95% confidence interval: 1.07 ~ 1.69, P < 0.05). The Begg's funnel plot and Egger's line regression test showed no statistical publication bias.

CONCLUSION: High clinical efficacy of elemene in the treatment of lung cancer malignant pleural effusion was found compared to DDP.