Open AccessBevacizumab in the treatment of radiation injury for children with central nervous system tumors
Author(s) -
Nathan Dahl,
Arthur K. Liu,
Nicholas Foreman,
Melissa Widener,
Laura Z. Fenton,
Margaret E. Macy
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
child's nervous system
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.46
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1433-0350
pISSN - 0256-7040
DOI - 10.1007/s00381-019-04304-y
Subject(s) - medicine , bevacizumab , radiation therapy , necrosis , surgery , chemotherapy
Radiation-induced injury is a well-described toxicity in children receiving radiation therapy for tumors of the central nervous system. Standard therapy has historically consisted primarily of high-dose corticosteroids, which carry significant side effects. Preclinical models suggest that radiation necrosis may be mediated in part through vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) overexpression, providing the rationale for use of VEGF inhibitors in the treatment of CNS radiation necrosis. We present the first prospective experience examining the safety, feasibility, neurologic outcomes, and imaging characteristics of bevacizumab therapy for CNS radiation necrosis in children.