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Tumor Treating Field Therapy in Combination with Bevacizumab for the Treatment of Recurrent Glioblastoma
Published on: October 27, 2014
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Cutaneous thrombogenic vasculopathy associated with bevacizumab therapy
Maija Kiuru1, Mark Schwartz, Cynthia Magro
1Weill Cornell Medical College; Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Dermatology Online Journal
|June 20, 2014
Summary
Bevacizumab, a cancer drug, can cause rare skin blood clots. Extensive C5b-9 complement deposition may explain this unusual side effect in patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Vascular Biology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Bevacizumab is an angiogenesis inhibitor targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) for various cancers.
- Thromboembolic events are a known adverse effect of bevacizumab therapy.
- Glioblastoma multiforme is a primary brain tumor often treated with bevacizumab.
Observation:
- A glioblastoma patient developed asymptomatic leg ulcers and purpuric patches after starting bevacizumab.
- Skin biopsy revealed thrombotic vasculopathy with epidermal and dermal ischemia.
- Extensive deposition of complement C5b-9 (membrane attack complex) was noted in affected vessels.
Findings:
- The patient's skin lesions were linked to bevacizumab treatment.
- The findings suggest a mechanism involving C5b-9 deposition in bevacizumab-associated vascular thrombosis.
- This represents a novel presentation of thrombotic complications in the skin.
Implications:
- Dermatologists should consider bevacizumab therapy when evaluating patients with unexplained skin thrombotic events.
- Understanding the role of C5b-9 may elucidate bevacizumab-induced thrombotic mechanisms.
- This case highlights the importance of recognizing rare adverse effects of targeted cancer therapies.
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