Evaluation of macular vessel density changes after vitrectomy with silicone oil tamponade in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

AIM: To assess the long-term effects of intraocular bevacizumab (Avastin®) injections as an adjunctive drug to manage patients with neovascular glaucoma (NVG). METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted consisting of thirty-four eyes with secondary NVG caused by proliferative diabetic retinopathy (n=25), ischemic central retinal vein occlusion (n=8), and retinal ischemia resulting from persistent detachment (n=1) were managed by intraocular injections of bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 mL), in addition to other treatments. The main outcome measure was the change in the degree of iris neovascularization. Secondary outcomes included intraocular pressure and the number of additional interventions or antiglaucoma medications administered after injection. RESULTS: All patients were followed-up for at least 12mo. At the last follow‐up, complete regression of rubeosis irides was detectable in 13 (38%) eyes and incomplete regression in 21 eyes (62%). The mean intraocular pressure was 45.32±7.185 mm Hg at baseline and significantly decreased to 26.15±5.679 mm Hg at the last follow‐up visit (P<0.000005). Patients received an average of 4.97 injections. Additional treatments were laser photocoagulation in 12 eyes (35.3%) and retinocryopexy procedure in six eyes (17.6%). No further treatment was needed in 16 eyes (47.1%). CONCLUSION: Intravitreal bevacizumab injection can have a favorable effect in controlling intraocular pressure and pain control in patients with NVG because it decreases the angiogenesis and helps to augment the results of conventional procedures. The primary cause of retinal ischemia should be always targeted.     

Combination therapy with afatinib and bevacizumab in an EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer patient with acquired ERBB2 amplification: A case report

Introduction:Acquired resistance to reversible EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors remains a significant obstacle, and acquired ERBB2 amplification is the most common “bypass” mechanism. For patients with sensitizing EGFR mutation who experience resistance via ERBB2 amplification, no targeted drug has been demonstrated to be effective.Patient concerns:A 56-year-old female nonsmoker suffered from left leg paralysis and low back pain. Imaging examination revealed a mass in the anterior segment of the right upper lobe lung and possible multiple metastases in the right hilar, mediastinal lymph nodes, bone metastases, and soft tissue invasion.Diagnosis:Transbronchial lung biopsy revealed a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma (cT4N2M1c, stage IV). An EGFR exon 19 deletion was identified using amplification refractory mutation system.Interventions:After the patient was treated with gefitinib initiation (250 mg/d) for 15 months, the tumor progressed with ERBB2 amplification revealed by next-generation sequencing test. Then, the patient was started on afatinib (40 mg/d) plus bevacizumab (7.5 mg/kg every 3 weeks).Outcomes:The combination therapy of afatinib and bevacizumab in this patient was effective with some slight side effects. Computed tomography scans showed the tumor shrinkage and the pleural effusion disappeared in the right lung. The overall survival was 23.5 months.Conclusion:To date, there is no targeted therapy approved and demonstrated to be effective for non-small cell lung cancer patients with EGFR sensitizing mutations, and ERBB2 amplification. The effectiveness of combination therapy with afatinib and bevacizumab may provide a new therapeutic option for these patients.     

贝伐珠单抗联合不同化疗方案治疗进展期结直肠癌54例分析

目的研究贝伐珠单抗(Bev)联合化疗治疗进展期结直肠癌的疗效和安全性。方法对2005年11月至2011年3月北京大学肿瘤医院接受Bev联合化疗治疗进展期结直肠癌54例进行分析。Bev 5 mg/kg静脉输注每2周1次或7.5 mg/kg静脉输注每3周1次,联合以奥沙利铂为基础的化疗,以伊立替康为基础的化疗,或以氟尿嘧啶类为基础的化疗进行治疗。按实体肿瘤疗效评价标准(RECIST)评价疗效,每6周评价1次。按美国癌症研究所常见毒性判定标准(NCI-CTC)3.0版评价不良反应。结果 54例中男26例,女28例;中位年龄50(24～73)岁。初治22例,21例可评价疗效,有效率(RR)为33.3%(7/21),疾病控制率(DCR)为100%(21/21);中位疾病无进展(PFS)时间11.3个月,总生存时间(OS)20.9个月。全部54例中,部分缓解(PR)12例(23.5%),稳定(SD)32例(62.7%),进展(PD)7例(13.5%),3例无法评价疗效;中位PFS 8.4个月,中位OS 15.5个月。主要3～4度不良反应为白细胞减少9例(16.7%),粒细胞减少13例(24.1%),粒细胞减少性发热1例(1.9%);3度恶心、呕吐2例(3.8%),3度腹泻3例(5.7%)。与贝伐珠单抗相关的不良反应为蛋白尿2例(3.8%),血压升高1例,鼻衄2例,痔疮出血2例,但均为1～2度。结论贝伐珠单抗联合化疗治疗进展期结直肠癌对于初治患者疗效较好,且未加重化疗的不良反应。     

Anti‐angiogenesis drugs in lung cancer

In the last years much attention has been given to the implementation of the so‐called targeted drugs. One of the targets of tumours is the vasculature and this has led to the development of anti‐angiogenic drugs. In lung cancer the use of these drugs has resulted in both positive and negative studies. In this paper the pros and cons are presented. We hope that this information will help the physician in making a proper treatment choice.     

Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome in a child treated with bevacizumab

Bevacizumab is a monoclonal antibody targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Hypertension is a well‐recognized, common side effect of VEGF blocking agents. The reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS) has been described as a rare but serious consequence of bevacizumab administration. We present a case of a 6‐year‐old child with refractory hepatoblastoma who developed hypertensive crisis, seizures and MRI changes consistent with RPLS while receiving bevacizumab with gemcitabine and oxaliplatin. Findings completely resolved without neurologic sequelae with stringent blood‐pressure control. Better understanding of risk for RPLS, prompt recognition and aggressive management will be required as bevacizumab gains wider use in pediatrics. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:669–671. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

The Boston Ocular Surface Prosthesis as a Novel Drug Delivery System for Bevacizumab

Corneal neovascularization causes deterioration of visual acuity and increases surface irregularities. Various techniques have been employed to help control the progression of corneal neovascularization; bevacizumab is a medication that targets the specific pathway of corneal neovascularization. The Boston Ocular Surface Prosthesis (BOSP) is a large diameter contact lens that aids in maintaining corneal surface integrity and may serve as a delivery system for topical bevacizumab. This paper reviews five patients who were treated with topical bevacizumab in their BOSP. All patients demonstrated improvement in their visual acuity and clinical exam. No adverse reactions were noted.     

Bevacizumab for the treatment of high-grade glioma

After karyotyping invasively obtained fetal material for decades, the field of prenatal genetic care has changed tremendously since the turn of the century. The introduction of novel technologies and strategies went along with concerns and debates, in which key issues were costs, the finding of variants of unknown or uncertain clinical relevance, commercialization and ethical and social issues. At present, there is an explosion of new genomic technologies, which need critical assessment prior to implementation, especially in the prenatal field. The key issues of the debates we had in the past will again play a major role in guiding us toward careful implementation of these new techniques in future.     

Emerging therapies for the treatment of patients with advanced neuroendocrine tumors

Patients with neuroendocrine tumors may pursue a number of treatment options, but there is little consensus on a single, standard treatment approach. Somatostatin analogs are generally administered to patients with symptoms of hormonal secretion, and are often highly effective in this regard. However, the administration of somatostatin analogs is only rarely associated with tumor regression, and randomized trials demonstrating a survival benefit associated with their use have not been performed. Selected patients with hepatic metastases may undergo surgical debulking, embolization or other ablative therapies. The clinical benefit associated with administration of systemic agents such as IFN-α or cytotoxic chemotherapy has been limited. With the possible exception of streptozocin-based therapy in patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, the widespread use of standard cytotoxic regimens has been limited by their relatively modest antitumor activity, as well as concerns regarding their potential toxicity. The modest efficacy seen with these agents in patients with advanced neuroendocrine tumors has led to great interest in the development of novel treatment approaches. One such approach is the use of radiolabeled somatostatin analogs. Recently, agents targeting the VEGF pathway and mammalian target of rapamycin have also shown promise in patients with advanced neuroendocrine tumors. Ongoing randomized studies should help better define the role these agents will play in the future treatment of patients with this disease.