Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome after bevacizumab/FOLFIRI regimen for metastatic colon cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a patient with reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome following the administration of bevacizumab (Avastin), a monoclonal antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor.


METHODS
Case report/literature review.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
A 52-year-old man receiving chemotherapy for stage IV rectal carcinoma.


RESULTS
Clinical and radiographic evidence consistent with reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome was found following the administration of irinotecan hydrochloride, leucovorin calcium, and fluorouracil (FOLFIRI) regimen chemotherapy and bevacizumab.


CONCLUSIONS
Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome following treatment with angiogenesis modulators can occur. In addition to raising clinical suspicion in appropriate patients, this report may yield clues to the pathophysiologic underpinnings of reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome.
Allen
Jeffrey A
JA
Department of Neurology, Tufts -- New England Medical Center, Boston, Mass, USA.
Adlakha
Ashish
A
Bergethon
Peter R
PR
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001037:Aphasia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D019575:Blindness, Cortical / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D002166:Camptothecin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D015140:Dementia, Vascular / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000009:adverse effects; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D009778:Occipital Lobe / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010296:Parietal Lobe / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil; D002166:Camptothecin