Can an antibiotic shorten chest tube time for cancer patients with lung fluid?
NCT ID NCT03465774
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looks at two ways to treat malignant pleural effusion, a buildup of fluid in the lungs caused by cancer. One uses a small tube (indwelling pleural catheter) to drain fluid; the other adds the antibiotic doxycycline to help seal the lung. Researchers want to see if adding doxycycline lets patients have the tube removed sooner. About 208 adults with cancer-related fluid buildup will take part.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- doxycycline
- What this could lead to
- If adding doxycycline works, patients may need the chest tube for a shorter time, reducing discomfort and infection risk.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early observational study, not a large randomized trial. Doxycycline may not speed up recovery and could cause side effects like pain or infection.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
M D Anderson Cancer Center
RECRUITINGHouston, Texas, 77030, United States
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