Hearing improvement after bevacizumab in patients with neurofibromatosis type 2
In a small series of people with NF2 and progressive vestibular schwannomas, the anti-VEGF antibody bevacizumab shrank the tumours in most and, remarkably, improved hearing in more than half, opening the first drug treatment for these tumours.
Overview
Retrospective series of 10 patients with neurofibromatosis type 2 and progressive vestibular schwannomas treated with bevacizumab after showing VEGF expression in tumour specimens.
Tumour shrinkage occurred in nine of ten patients (volumetric response of 20 percent or more in six), and hearing improved in four of seven evaluable patients, with responses maintained over months of treatment.
- Volumetric tumour response in six of ten patients.
- Hearing improvement in four of seven evaluable patients.
Bevacizumab is used off label for NF2-related schwannomatosis with growing tumours or declining hearing, supported by later phase 2 trials, and the study opened the search for medical therapy of schwannoma.
- Ten patients, retrospective, no control.
- Responses are not permanent and treatment must continue; hypertension and proteinuria limit long-term use.
Similar pages
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