Abstract: AIM: To investigate the therapeutic effects and the toxicity of intrapleural injection of natural growth factors(NGF,with main component of staphylococcal aureus enterotoxin C)in the treatment ofPatients with malignantPleural effusions.METHODS: Patients with histopathologically confirmed malignantPleural effusions were evaluated for treatment with NGF.TwelvePatients with malignantPleural effusions received NGFPleural instilations until the end of the survey.Drugs were administered according to the following schedule:NGF 2000 -2500 intrapleural injection twice weekly.The courses stopped whenPleural effusions disappeared or severe toxic reactions occurred.RESULTS: A total of 12 objective responses were assessed,including 10 complete responses(83 %),and 2Partial responses.Mean time of following uPwas 11.1(3 -25)months,11Patients died during the visit,and the mean survival time was 10.2 months,significantlylonger than that(<3months)inliterature.One of thePatients in CR grouPsurvived 25 months in a disease-free status; 2Patients died after 10 and 6 months respectively withoutlocal relapse.Compared withPretherapy,thePercentage oflymphocyte in the surrounding blood reduced while that inPleural effusions rose.No significant side effects were observed.CONCLUSION: The NGF intrapleural instillations are highly effective and well tolerated inPatients with malignantPleural effusions.

Key words: pharmacodynamics, superantigen, malignantPleural effusions, lung cancer, immunotherapy