Recombinant tumour necrosis factor in the local therapy of malignant pleural effusion

rHuTNF was locally applied to 26 patients with diverse advanced tumours and malignant pleural effusions following maximum possible drainage of their pleural cavities. 46 instillations (an average of 1.8 per patient) with doses between 0.10 mg and 0.50 mg were carried out. The total doses ranged from 0.15 mg to 1.01 mg per patient. 41% of the instillations resulted in flu-like symptoms, 35% fever/chill, 24% fatigue/malaise, 11% nausea/vomiting and 11% chest pain. All toxicities were fully reversible and could be treated successfully. There was no apparent relation between dose and side-effects. Of those patients treated primarily with TNF, 87% did not suffer from any recurrent effusion within 4 weeks after treatment. In patients who had already been treated employing other methods, this figure was 86%. Complete drainage of the pleural cavity was not absolutely necessary before application of TNF. Intrapleural instillation of TNF appears to be an effective method for achieving pleurodesis with relatively few side-effects and can be successful even after other methods have failed. It is a method which can also be applied to patients who have a poor general state of health.