22126 Background: Mayo data revealed that the median survival of patients with malignant pleural effusion is 4.7 months, with a 23% survival at one year and 7% at two years. These data emphasize the need for more preclinical research on ways to improve the diagnosis and treatment of malignant effusions. The purpose of this double-blind study was to ascertain VEGF A, C and D levels in various fresh pleural effusions. Methods: Sixty-four patients with cytology-known recurrent pleural effusions, who either underwent ultrasound-guided thoracentesis or fluid removal at the time of PleurX catheter placement. The effusions were centrifuged, aliquoted and frozen within 24 hours after removal. Each sample was evaluated for VEGF A, C and D levels using assay kits from ELISA-DuoSet by R&D in Minneapolis, MN. Results: Twenty-four non-malignant effusions and 40 malignant effusions including lung (15), breast (5), GI (6), ovarian (3), renal cell (3) and hematologic (8) were assayed. Assay findings (log transformed) wer...