Patients with a variety of malignancies can develop malignant pleural effusion (MPE). MPE can cause significant symptoms and result in a marked decrease in quality of life and a poor prognosis. MPE is primarily considered as an immune and vascular manifestation of pleural metastases. In the present review, the existing evidence supporting the applicability of anti‑angiogenic therapy and immunotherapy for the treatment of MPE was summarized. Patients with MPE have benefited from anti‑angiogenic agents, including bevacizumab and endostar; however, no relevant prospective phase III trial has, thus far, specifically analyzed the benefit of anti‑angiogenic therapy in MPE. Immunotherapy for MPE may be sufficient to turn a dire clinical situation into a therapeutic advantage. Similar to anti‑angiogenic therapy, more clinical data on the efficiency and safety of immunotherapy for controlling MPE are urgently required. The combined use of anti‑angiogenic therapy and immunotherapy may be a promising strategy for MPE, which requires to be further understood.
Keywords: malignant pleural effusion; anti-angiogenic therapy; immunotherapy; vascular endothelial growth factor; review.