Validation of LENT and PROMISE scores in Asians to predict prognosis in malignant pleural effusion

What is it about?

Estimating survival in malignant pleural effusion (MPE) patients is important to plan treatment strategy. LENT and PROMISE scores are useful in Western population to predict survival in MPE, however their performance in Asians remains unknown. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) prevalence is much higher among Asian lung adenocarcinoma patients compared to Caucasians, and its mutation status may be an additional important factor for survival prediction. Our study examines whether the LENT and PROMISE scores are useful to predict survival in Asian MPE patients, and to test the impact of EGFR mutation status to survival in MPE.

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Why is it important?

Our study shows that both LENT and PROMISE scores have acceptable performance in Asian MPE patients, thus clinicians may apply the scores to help guide treatment strategy. Our study also finds that EGFR mutation status is associated with a significantly better survival, thus adding this factor when applying the scores may further improve their performance.

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