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D. Sterman



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    MO09 - Mesothelioma I (ID 120)

    • Event: WCLC 2013
    • Type: Mini Oral Abstract Session
    • Track:
    • Presentations: 2
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      MO09.03 - A pilot and feasibility trial evaluating two different chemotherapy regimens in combination with intrapleural adenoviral-mediated interferon-alpha (SCH 721015, Ad.hIFN-alpha2b) gene transfer for malignant pleural mesothelioma (ID 3374)

      16:25 - 16:30  |  Author(s): D. Sterman

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Background
      Malignant pleural mesothelioma is an incurable thoracic neoplasm for which combination chemotherapy offers limited improvement in survival. Novel agents that offer synergy with standard systemic cytotoxic therapy are under investigation. Among these agents are a variety of immunotherapeutics which can be administered either locally or in a systemic fashion.

      Methods
      We conducted a Phase I/II “in situ vaccination” clinical trial commencing in March2011 involving repeated intrapleural administration of a replication-defective recombinant adenoviral vector containing the human interferon-alpha (hIFN-α2b) gene at a dose of 3x10[11 ]viral particles concomitant with a 14-day course of high-dose cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor (Celecoxib). This was followed by standard first-line or second-line chemotherapy agents. Primary outcome measures were safety, overall best response rate, and survival.

      Results
      We completed accrual (n=25) in the first-line chemotherapy arm, in which all patients received pemetrexed-based chemotherapy regimens. This group included patients who previously received pemetrexed chemotherapy but did not subsequently receive this agent for >6 months. In the second-line chemotherapy arm, 13of a planned 15 subjects have enrolled (with 12 evaluable), all of whom received gemcitabine-based chemotherapy (Table 1). In both arms, the combination of intrapleural Ad.IFN-α2b vector, high-dose celecoxib, and systemic chemotherapy proved safe. Adverse events during the chemotherapy portion of the study were comparable to historical controls.Most patients experienced expected mild toxicities from vector (cytokine release syndrome, interferon production), including nausea, fatigue, anemia, lymphopenia (grade 3-4) and hypoalbuminemia. Serious adverse events included: pleural catheter infection (n=2); hypoxia (n=2); supraventricular tachycardia (n=1); and esophagitis (n=1), none directly attributable to the vector or vector administration. Serial chest CT and PET/CT scans demonstrated an overall response rate of 31% by Modified RECIST criteria and disease control rate (DCR) of 78% (partial and complete responses plus stable disease) at initial follow-up scan after the first two cycles of chemotherapy. Partial responses were seen in 9/25 evaluable patients with pemetrexed-based chemotherapy and 1/12 with gemcitabine. Patients who received first-line pemetrexed-based chemotherapy (n=14) had a median survival of 10.5 months, 95% ci=(5.5,inf), whereas second-line patients (n=21; 12 gemcitabine)had a median survival of 15.0 months, 95% ci=(9.0,inf).

      Pem/Platin (N=25) Gemcitabine (N=13)
      Male % 64% (16/25) 84.6% (11/13)
      Median Age 67 (51-86) 65 (43-81)
      Histologic Subtype % Epithelioid - 17 (68%) Biphasic - 4 (17%) Sarcomatoid - 4 (17%) Epithelioid - 11 (84.6%) Biphasic - 2 (15.4%) Sarcomatoid - 0
      Stage I - 2 (8%) II - 6 (24%) III - 13 (52%) IV - 4 (16%) III - 4 (30%) IV - 9 (70%)
      Prior Treatment Chemotherapy - 4 (16%) RP/PDT - 4 (16%) XRT - 5 (20%) Chemotherapy - 13 (100%) RP/PDT - 7 (53%) XRT - 2 (15%)
      Platin Agent Cisplatin - 12 Carboplatin - 10 Cis-Carbo - 1 None - 2 Cisplatin - 0 Carboplatin - 2 None - 8
      Median Cycles of Chemo 6 (1-6) 3 (0-6)
      TABLE 1

      Conclusion
      The combination of intrapleural Ad.IFN-α2b vector, Celecoxib, and systemic chemotherapy proved safe. Disease control rates observed in this study compare favorably with historical data andthe especially encouraging OS in the second-line chemotherapy group argue strongly for proceeding with a multi-center randomized clinical trial of chemo-immunogene therapy versus chemotherapy alone.

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      MO09.12 - Posterior intercostal lymph nodes - First report of a new independent prognostic factor for malignant pleural mesothelioma (ID 1684)

      17:20 - 17:25  |  Author(s): D. Sterman

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Background
      Little is known about the significance of metastases to the posterior intercostal lymph nodes, located within the intercostal spaces at the level of the rib heads, in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. These nodes are not part of any staging system. This report is an initial attempt to determine the significance of these lymph nodes.

      Methods
      We sampled posterior intercostal lymph nodes from 48 patients undergoing radical pleurectomy for malignant pleural mesothelioma. Statistical analyses were then performed correlating metastases to these lymph nodes with progression free and overall survival.

      Results
      26/48 (54%) patients had positive posterior intercostal lymph nodes. Standard staging revealed: 6/48 (13%) N0, 3/48 (6%) N1, 39/48 (81%) N2, 9/49 (19%) stage III and 39/48 (81%) stage IV. Presence of positive posterior intercostal lymph nodes was not associated with stage (Fisher exact P=0.48), but was associated with N status. N1 and N2 were associated with higher rates of positive posterior intercostal lymph nodes (Fisher exact P=0.011). At a median follow-up of 9.6 months, progression-free survival was 0.83 years, 95% CI: (0.74, 1.30) years; median overall survival was 1.89 years, 95% CI: (1.29, ND) years. Patients with negative posterior intercostal lymph nodes had a median progression-free survival of 1.25 years, 95% CI: (0.95, 1.95) years, while that for patients with positive posterior intercostal lymph nodes was 0.73 years, 95% CI: (0.61, 1.40) years (p=.017 by log-rank test). Patients with negative posterior intercostal lymph nodes had a median overall survival of 3.43 years, 95% CI: (1.89, ND) years, while that for patients with positive ICLNs was 1.01 years, 95% CI: (0.61, 1.40) years (p=.007 by log-rank). In a Cox regression model that adjusted for stage, positive posterior intercostal lymph nodes were associated with an increased risk of failure (HR=2.71, 95% CI=1.15.6.39, P=.048) and death, (HR=3.3, 95% CI: 1.3, 8.1, P=0.0098. Figure 1

      Conclusion
      Bearing in mind the limitations of this retrospective study with short-term follow-up, these results suggest that the posterior intercostal lymph nodes may have independent prognostic significance. This data has served as a trigger for us to now routinely include the posterior intercostal lymph nodes in our thoracic lymphadenectomies in patients undergoing surgery for malignant pleural mesothelioma. Further investigation of this nodal station is indicated and it is likely that these nodes should be included in any future staging system for malignant pleural mesothelioma.

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    MO14 - Mesothelioma II - Surgery and Multimodality (ID 121)

    • Event: WCLC 2013
    • Type: Mini Oral Abstract Session
    • Track: Mesothelioma
    • Presentations: 2
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      MO14.01 - The impact of macroscopic complete resection radical pleurectomy for mesothelioma on pulmonary function (ID 1692)

      10:30 - 10:35  |  Author(s): D. Sterman

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Background
      Radical pleurectomy is our standard approach for achieving a macroscopic complete resection in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma undergoing surgery-based treatment. This procedure, not pneumonectomy, is performed even in the setting of advanced stage disease, bulky tumors and/or extensive involvement of the pulmonary fissures. Although the majority of patients subjectively rate their breathing as “good” after this operation we recently started measuring postoperative pulmonary function, reported herein.

      Methods
      We examined pre and postoperative FEV~1~ levels among 27 patients undergoing radical pleurectomy: 2 stage I, 3 stage II, 17 stage III, 5 stage IV.

      Results
      The figure shows pre/postoperative FEV-1. Median preoperative levels did not differ significantly between stages (P=0.25): 2.47 (Stage I/II) 2.19 (Stage III) and 1.68 (Stage IV) liters/second. Post-operative median values were 2.16 (Stage I/II), 1.97 (Stage III) and 1.05 (Stage IV) liters/second. The median (interquartile range) decrease in FEV-1 was 0.28 (0.12, 0.51) liters/second, which corresponds to a median (interquartile range) decrease in percent predicted FEV-1 of 7% (4.5%, 16.0%), neither change being statistically significant between stages. Figure 1

      Conclusion
      These operations were conducted in an advanced stage cohort of patients, 81% stage III or IV. The nominal decrease in FEV1 corresponds with the subjective impression of the patients regarding their pulmonary function. While lung parenchyma is preserved with radical pleurectomy, we conjecture the decrease in FEV1 is likely related to compromise in breathing mechanics. Further studies are ongoing to better quantify and characterize the decrease in pulmonary function observed with this operation and to more rigorously integrate this information with formal quality of life assessments.

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      MO14.02 - 16 Year Experience of Routine Laparoscopy and Selective Contralateral Thoracoscopic Staging for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (ID 1651)

      10:35 - 10:40  |  Author(s): D. Sterman

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Background
      Surgery for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is typically restricted to patients without intraperitoneal or contralateral pleural spread. Imaging studies are accompanied by both false positive and false negative errors for both types of spread. To avoid these errors our group has routinely performed laparoscopy and selective contralateral video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS) since 1997.

      Methods
      168 patients with MPM were evaluated for surgery as part of a multimodal treatment protocol. Radiographic staging studies included CT Chest with contrast for all 168 patients, PET Scan (112 patients) and MRI Abdomen (17 patients) for concerning findings on CT and/or PET. 150 patients underwent laparoscopy (two 5mm ports) with both peritoneal biopsy and lavage for cytology. 130/150 laparoscopies were performed in virgin abdomens with the remainder being reoperative procedures. 18 patients also underwent contralateral VATS, based upon any suspicious radiographic findings by either the interpreting radiologist or as reviewed by a multidisciplinary panel of treating physicians. All VATS were performed through a single 1 cm incision. Laparoscopies were performed as outpatient procedures. Patients undergoing combination VATS/laparoscopy were scheduled as same day admissions.

      Results
      There were no operative complications for either procedure. 5/132 (4%) laparoscopy patients scheduled as outpatients required overnight hospitalization – the most common reason being urinary retention. Laparoscopy revealed inaccuracies in radiographic staging in 13/150 (9%) patients- 6 false positive studies (1 interpretation of diaphragm transgression that was not through the diaphragm and 5 metastases that were not present) and 7 false negative studies (3 detected by lavage and 4 by biopsy). All of the false positive and all of the false negative studies occurred in patients who had PET scans. 2/18 (11%) patients who underwent VATS were positive for mesothelioma in the contralateral pleura, only one of whom had a positive PET scan finding.

      Conclusion
      Routine laparoscopy was performed safely and revealed inaccuracy in radiographic staging in 9% of the patients, all of whom had both CT and PET scans. Selective contralateral VATS was performed safely and revealed cancer in 11% of patients with suspicious findings, as determined by the interpreting radiologists and/or the treating clinicians and with PET only being accurate in one of the two positive findings. We conclude that prior to offering patients surgery-based treatment for MPM routine laparoscopy and VATS, based upon any suspicion, are indicated.

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    MO22 - Advanced Disease and Outcomes (ID 103)

    • Event: WCLC 2013
    • Type: Mini Oral Abstract Session
    • Track: Surgery
    • Presentations: 1
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      MO22.11 - Prospective Study of Surgery with Curative Intent and Intraoperative Photodynamic Therapy to Achieve Long-term Pleural Control and Improve Overall Survival for Patients with Non-small Cell Lung Cancer with Pleural Dissemination (ID 3141)

      11:30 - 11:35  |  Author(s): D. Sterman

      • Abstract
      • Presentation
      • Slides

      Background
      Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with pleural spread carries a dismal prognosis of 6-9 months median survival. Standard treatment is palliative chemotherapy. Surgery typically has no role, with studies showing no overall survival (OS) benefit and high rates of local recurrence of up to 90% due to microscopic residual disease following resection. This study investigated the use of surgery with the intent of achieving a gross total resection and intraoperative photodynamic therapy (PDT) to target microscopic residual disease for patients with NSCLC with pleural metastasis to improve local control and OS.

      Methods
      All patients with NSCLC with pleural metastasis treated with definitive surgery and PDT (porfimer sodium, 24hr drug-light interval, 630nm, 30-60J/cm[2]) from 1997-2012 on either of two IRB-approved prospective clinical trials were assessed. Progression-free survival (PFS) and OS were defined as the time from surgery to recurrence and death, respectively, or to last contact. Pleural control was defined as absence of ipsilateral pleural disease after surgery, whereas locoregional control was defined as absence of lung parenchymal or intrathoracic nodal disease.

      Results
      34 consecutive patients were assessed, all with ECOG performance status 0-1. The cohort was 50% male, predominantly Caucasian (85%), and a median of 55yrs at the time of surgery (range, 35-73yrs). Most had adenocarcinoma (79%), clinical N2 nodal metastasis (64%), and received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (94%) and/or radiotherapy (12%). Over half (56%) underwent pneumonectomy, whereas 38% received a lesser anatomic resection. Two patients were found intraoperatively to have unresectable disease due to pericardial effusion (n=1) or trans-diaphragmatic extension (n=1). Pathologic staging was pT4N0 (24%) or pT4N2 (76%). Four patients (3/19 pneumonectomy, 1/13 lung-sparing) suffered peri-operative mortality (day 11-98), with one death attributable to PDT (ARDS, day 11). Following surgery/PDT, 59% of patients received mediastinal radiotherapy (median 50.4Gy/1.8Gy) and 50% received chemotherapy. Pleural recurrence rates and OS were similar for patients undergoing pneumonectomy or other procedures (p>0.05 for both). Cohort median OS was 21.4 months (0.4-161.1 months), and survival rates were 59% at 1yr and 41% at 2yrs. Median overall PFS was 7.5 months, with numerous patients achieving durable disease-free intervals (mean PFS 18.4 months). Median pleural PFS was 13.6 months, with pleural recurrences occurring in only 32%. Overall, 79% experienced recurrence or unresectable disease progression, and distant failure was most commonly observed (53%).

      Conclusion
      This study demonstrates that surgery and intraoperative PDT can achieve durable local control and prolonged survival for NSCLC patients with pleural dissemination. Compared with current standard treatment, which offers a median survival of 6-9 months from pleural metastasis diagnosis, our cohort lived a median of 24.7 months from pleural diagnosis and 21.4 months from surgery/PDT. This study also demonstrates that surgery/PDT can be performed with acceptable morbidity. Distant recurrence was the most common failure, indicating need for improved adjuvant systemic therapy. These results are sufficiently encouraging to warrant further study and suggest that stage IVA NSCLC patients with pleural dissemination, good performance statuses, disease limited to one hemithorax, and of the mind to be aggressive about their disease could be considered for this investigational treatment approach.

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    P1.14 - Poster Session 1 - Mesothelioma (ID 194)

    • Event: WCLC 2013
    • Type: Poster Session
    • Track: Mesothelioma
    • Presentations: 2
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      P1.14-004 - Extended Survival Following Recurrence for Patients with Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Treated with Radical Pleurectomy, Photodynamic Therapy and Chemotherapy: The potential role of STAT3. (ID 1686)

      09:30 - 09:30  |  Author(s): D. Sterman

      • Abstract

      Background
      Survival after recurrence following surgical management with curative intent for malignant pleural mesothelioma is typically measured in months. In this study, we compare survival after recurrence in patients progression free less than or greater than one year after radical pleurectomy.

      Methods
      67 consecutive patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma, epithelial subtype, who underwent radical pleurectomy and intraoperative photodynamic therapy were assessed in this IRB-approved study. Four patients who experienced perioperative mortality were excluded from this analysis. Local recurrence was defined as recurrent disease in the ipsilateral hemithorax. Early vs. late recurrence was defined as recurrence before versus after the median recurrence time, respectively. STAT3 expression was quantified in tissue microarrays using computer-based quantification of immunohistochemical staining.

      Results
      Among the 63 evaluable patients, 78% (n=49) were male, the median age of patients was 64 years, and the overwhelming majority (87.5%) had locally advanced (AJCC stage3/4) disease. 49 patients (78%) had lymph node metastases (N1/N2). 60 patients (95%) received neoadjuvant or adjuvant pemetrexed-based chemotherapy. With a median follow-up of 31 months, 42 patients demonstrated disease recurrence. Of these recurrences, 18 were isolated local recurrences and 24 were combined local + distant. The median time to recurrence was 11.6 months and patients who experienced an early recurrence (<11.6 mo) demonstrated significantly decreased survival as compared to patients experiencing a late recurrence (p < 0.0001, Figure 1). The median survival after recurrence was significantly decreased for patients who experienced an early vs late recurrence (54.7 mo [46.0-63.4 mo 95% CI] vs 10.8 mo [8.5-22.7 mo 95 % CI], respectively). We and others have previously shown that STAT3 expression can make mesothelioma more resistant to cytotoxic agents such as chemotherapy or photodynamic therapy. Preliminary analysis of TMA staining indicates that patients who experience an early disease recurrence in our series exhibit significantly higher STAT3 expression. Figure 1

      Conclusion
      This study is among the largest to describe the survival after initial recurrence for malignant pleural mesothelioma in patients undergoing definitive surgical management. Patients recurring prior to the median of 11.6 months experienced an aggressive tumor recurrence phenotype with a median 10.3 months from recurrence to death. Patients recurring after the median of 11.6 months experienced a relatively indolent disease course with a median survival of 37 months after recurrence. Further evaluation and additional studies are necessary to confirm if elevated STAT3 expression could be a poor prognostic factor for patients undergoing radical pleurectomy, photodynamic therapy and chemotherapy.

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      P1.14-014 - Patients' Willingness to Participate in a Randomized Controlled Trial for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: A New Paradigm to Improve Accrual to Thoracic Oncology Trials (ID 3147)

      09:30 - 09:30  |  Author(s): D. Sterman

      • Abstract

      Background
      Predicting if a trial will accrue is critical, especially for thoracic oncology trials that have notoriously low accruals. Our group demonstrated unusually good results treating malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) with radical pleurectomy (RP), intraoperative photodynamic therapy (PDT), and chemotherapy. To establish if PDT is contributing to our results, a randomized trial of RP+/-PDT is needed. To determine if such a trial is feasible, we conducted a willingness to participate (WTP) study. We quantified differences in WTP before and after physician training designed to increase WTP.

      Methods
      All consecutive MPM patients who were candidates for RP+PDT were prospectively enrolled in this IRB-approved study. Patients participated in structured interviews, reviewed a written description of a hypothetical RCT comparing RP to RP+PDT, answered open-ended and focused questions regarding their motivations for and concerns about enrollment, and completed a written questionnaire. WTP was assessed using a 6-point Likert scale (1=definitely not, 6=definitely). Interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic data analysis and constant comparison techniques. Questionnaire and transcript data were used to educate physicians and modify their presentation of the RCT to subsequent patients.

      Results
      25 participants (median age 66yrs, 72% male, 88% epithelial histology) enrolled. Some had pre-existing knowledge of RP (44%) or PDT (40%). Following the first 8 patients enrolled, we identified 15 factors impacting WTP focusing on five themes: randomization, hope for cure, desire to compare treatments, altruism, and physician opinion (Table 1). Based on these findings, physicians were trained to more thoroughly explain the WTP and proposed RTC and addressed concerns raised by these initial 8 patients when meeting with subsequent patients. Physician time explaining the WTP increased following training (median 9min vs. 3min, p<0.0001). Overall, 56% “definitely” or “probably” would, 28% “may,” and 16% would “probably not” or “definitely not” participate. More patients would be “definitely” or “probably” willing to participate after physician training (71% vs. 25%, p=0.03). Furthermore, none of the initial 8 patients were “definitely” willing, compared with 8 of the subsequent 17 (p=0.02). Following consultation, 16 underwent surgical-based therapy, with no difference before or after training (50% vs. 71%, p=0.34).

      Table 1. Motivations (m) and concerns (c) reported by patients (N=25) when deciding if they would enroll in the proposed randomized clinical trial for malignant pleural mesothelioma
      Trial Design Factors N= Therapy-relate Factors N= Humanistic/Ethical Factors N=
      Randomization (c) 12 Hope for a cure (m) 10 Altruism towards other patients (m) 9
      Deference to physician opinion (m) 7 Desire to compare treatments (m) 8 Deference to family opinion (m) 4
      Concerns with experimentation (c) 2 PDT side effects (c) 6 Altruism towards science/physician/ hospital (m) 1
      Financial incentives (m) 1 Potential benefit of PDT (m) 3
      Reputation of the hospital (m) 1 Prior knowledge of PDT (m) 1
      Close follow-up (m) 1 Availability of alternative treatments (c) 1

      Conclusion
      This study demonstrated analyzing and addressing patient motivations and concerns about enrollment, physician training, and increasing time spent with patients can increase WTP. In this study, most patients expressed a WTP in a RCT of RP+/-PDT for MPM. Performing WTP studies prior to planned prospective thoracic oncology trials should be considered to optimize trial design and accrual strategies.

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    P2.07 - Poster Session 2 - Surgery (ID 190)

    • Event: WCLC 2013
    • Type: Poster Session
    • Track: Surgery
    • Presentations: 1
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      P2.07-047 - A New Minimally Invasive Surgical Technique to Access a Fused Pleural Space for Biopsy, Gene Therapy or Other Novel Intrapleural Therapeutics - A Report of 34 Patients (ID 3323)

      09:30 - 09:30  |  Author(s): D. Sterman

      • Abstract

      Background
      Gene therapy has shown promise as a novel treatment for pleural mesothelioma. This treatment requires intrapleural placement of a catheter, a routine procedure if a patient has an effusion. After surgery or pleurodesis, however, the pleural space will be fused and access can be difficult. Previously these patients were excluded from gene therapy. The objective of this study was to develop a minimally invasive technique that would allow placement of a catheter into a fused pleural space.

      Methods
      Over the past 50 months 34 patients with fused chest cavities were enrolled in a gene therapy clinical trial. Utilizing a videoscopic saphenous vein-harvesting device, a new surgical technique was developed to safely create a space in the chest cavity for biopsy of tumor, creation of space to accommodate vector instillation and placement of a tunneled catheter. Often the procedure required tunneling directly between the lung and the chest wall, where there was no visible disease, in order to access a pleural nodule that was detectable on CT scan. In every case this procedure was performed through a single 15 mm incision (fig 1). Figure 1 Figure 1 a) The videoscopic saphenous vein tunneling device b) The device in use – not transillumination in the chest approximately 10cm distal to the incision c) Closure of the single video port with the catheter emerging from a proximally tunneled site

      Results
      All 34 patients had successful catheter placement, with 27 as outpatients. The only surgical complication was a transient air leak in 1 patient requiring overnight admission. 5 patients were admitted for urinary retention and 1 for resumption of anticoagulation. One patient had a local wound infection at the catheter site requiring readmission and 2 more were treated as outpatients, all clearing with antibiotics. All patients received gene therapy.

      Conclusion
      This technique represents a safe, effective and minimally invasive way to access a fused pleural space. This technique has proven useful in extending eligibility for pleural mesothelioma gene therapy, but could be used to safely access a fused pleural space for any purpose. This would include obtaining a biopsy in a patient who had undergone pleurodesis without an established diagnosis or placement of a catheter for any type of intrapleural therapeutic.

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    P3.07 - Poster Session 3 - Surgery (ID 193)

    • Event: WCLC 2013
    • Type: Poster Session
    • Track: Surgery
    • Presentations: 1
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      P3.07-046 - A Novel Technique For Palliating Recurrent Pleural Effusions With a Port-Accessed Tunneled Catheter (ID 3330)

      09:30 - 09:30  |  Author(s): D. Sterman

      • Abstract

      Background
      The cuffed tunneled catheter has revolutionized outpatient management of recurrent pleural effusions. Some patients, however, refuse these tubes on the basis of prohibition of swimming/tub bathing or cosmetic considerations. The objective of this study was to develop a technique to serve such patients.

      Methods
      Four patients with recurrent effusions refused tunneled catheter placement and were not candidates or refused pleuro-peritoneal shunts. All required multiple thoracenteses, one weekly for over a year. One patient had a chronic benign symptomatic transudative effusion after successful nonoperative treatment of NSCLC. The second patient had recurrent chylothoraces secondary to Yellow Nail Syndrome. Two patients had malignant pleural effusions. In all cases, after assuring their effusions could be drawn through a 19 gauge needle, they were taken to the operating room where a tunneled catheter was placed, leaving the fibrous polyester cuff in place for tissue ingrowth, but trimming the valve and connecting that end of the catheter to a standard implantable single lumen infusion port (Figure 1). Figure 1 Figure 1 A) The configuration of the cuffed catheter connected to a single lumen infusion port B) The port-accessed catheter being tested after implantation of the catheter and prior to implantation of the port C) Accessing the catheter as it is done at home

      Results
      All procedures were performed uneventfully and without complications. The catheters continue to work well and are accessed by the patients at home.

      Conclusion
      This novel technique offers a safe palliative option for any effusion that can be aspirated through a 19 gauge needle, benign or malignant. The patients have been able to maintain their normal life style without the risk and inconvenience of serial outpatient thoracenteses or the limitations imposed by the presence of an exterior tube. Specifically, the proven benefits are that it enhances quality of life for those patients who wish to maintain the activities of swimming or tub bathing or have compelling concerns about the appearance of an external tube. There is also the theoretical benefit that this port-accessed drainage system may be less prone to infectious complications.