Randomized controlled trial of endostar combined with cisplatin/ pemetrexed chemotherapy for elderly patients with advanced malignant pleural effusion of lung adenocarcinoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of endostar combined with cisplatin/pemetrexed (CP) chemotherapy for elderly patients with advanced malignant pleural effusion (MPE) of lung adenocarcinoma.

METHODS: A total of 128 lung adenocarcinoma patients with MPE were randomly divided into two groups. Patients in the treatment group were treated with pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 , i.v., d 1, cisplatin intracavitary administration with a total dose of 75 mg/m2 , d 2, 5 and 8, and endostar intracavitary administration 45 mg, d 1, 4 and 7. Patients in the control group were treated with chemotherapy alone (pemetrexed and cisplatin and mode of administration were the same as for the treatment group.

RESULTS: The effective rates (ER) of the treatment group and control group were 81.82 and 64.52%, respectively (x2 =4.906, p=0.027). The MPE control rates (DCRs) were 93.94 and 79.03%, respectively (x2 =6.168, p=0.013). The control rate of the treatment group was higher compared with the control group (p<0.05), especially during the first period when it was 54.55% (p=0.019); in addition, the recurrence rate was lower (9.68 vs 30.61%, p=0.005). Dyspnea, mood and overall health improved significantly in the treatment group patients. No statistically significant differences in side effects between the groups were noticed.

CONCLUSION: Intracavity endostar combined with intracavitary and i.v. pemetrexed and cisplatin had a significant effect on advanced MPE of lung adenocarcinoma. In addition, the quality of life (QoL) was significantly improved and the side effects were tolerable.