Abstract
[Truncated] The pleura is involved in a wide range of pulmonary and systemic disorders. Patients with pleural diseases commonly present with pleural effusions. As many as 1 in 1500 adults each year undergo pleurodesis, the iatrogenic induction of pleural fibrosis to obliterate the pleural space, for the management of recurrent pleural effusions and pneumothoraces. Chemical pleurodesis is performed by intrapleural injection of a sclerosing agent (eg talc or tetracycline derivatives) that induces acute inflammatory response and subsequent fibrosis. Currently available agents are either sub-optimal in efficacy or have significant side effects, especially pain and fever from acute pleural inflammation.
Transforming Growth Factor (TGF)-? is a unique cytokine with potent profibrotic and immunomodulatory functions. Its effect in the pleura is unknown. The hypothesis that TGF? can induce pleurodesis effectively, promptly and safely without causing significant pleural inflammation was investigated.
| Original language | English |
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| Qualification | Doctor of Philosophy |
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| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Unpublished - 2002 |
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