Low-Frequency Sonophoresis of Chinese Medicine Formula Improves Efficacy of Malignant Pleural Effusion Treatment

Objective To evaluate whether low-frequency ultrasound-facilitated transdermal delivery of a Chinese medicine (CM) formula could improve the efficacy of intrapleural administration of interleukin-2 (IL-2) in treatment of malignant pleural effusion (MPE). Methods A total of 110 eligible participants were randomized into the low-frequency sonophoresis (LFS) of CM (LSF/CM) group (55 cases) and the control group (55 cases) by simple randomization using a random number table. The control group was treated with an intrapleural administration of IL-2; and the LFS/CM group was treated with LFS of a CM gel formulation, combined with the same IL-2 injection as in the control group. The CM formula consisted of Semen Lepidii, Semen Sinapis, Ramulus Cinnamomi, Poriacocos, Herba Lycopi , and Radix Paeoniae Rubra. After 2-week treatment, the therapeutic outcome was determined by the change of the amount of MPE, which was evaluated by B-scan ultrasound and/or chest X-ray, and the change of quality of life (QOL) scores, which were evaluated by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status. Results A significantly higher objective remission rate (ORR) was obtained with intrapleural IL-2 plus LFS/CM than IL-2 treatment alone ( P =0.049). In addition, more patients in the LFS/CM group than in the control group had an improved QOL score ( P =0.048), and no patients in the LFS/CM group had a reduced QOL. Conclusion : LFS of CM formulation could effectively alleviate MPE and improve the QOL of cancer patients.