Complete remission of ovarian cancer induced intractable malignant ascites with intraperitoneal bevacizumab. Immunological observations and a literature review.
Malignant ascites resistant to conventional drugs frequently affects ovarian cancer patients at the end of life. Here we report the case of a patient who benefited from complete resolution of ascites after low dose intraperitoneal administration of bevacizumab. Immunological analyses showed an initial increase in proportion and function of CD8(+) effector T cells and a reduction of circulating T(reg) cells. A review of the current literature regarding bevacizumab in ovarian cancer is reported. Bevacizumab has shown a high efficacy in the treatment of ovarian cancer. Intraperitoneal administration induces an immune activation and appears promising in the treatment of malignant ascites.
Bellati
Filippo
F
Institute of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy. filippo.bellati@uniroma1.it
Napoletano
Chiara
C
Ruscito
Ilary
I
Pastore
Maria
M
Pernice
Milena
M
Antonilli
Morena
M
Nuti
Marianna
M
Benedetti Panici
Pierluigi
P
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D001201:Ascites / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012008:Recurrence; D012074:Remission Induction
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D007371:Interferon-gamma