Bevacizumab induces regression of vestibular schwannomas in patients with neurofibromatosis type 2.
Bilateral vestibular schwannomas are the hallmark of neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), and these tumors impair hearing and frequently lead to deafness. Neurosurgical intervention, the only established treatment, often damages the vestibular nerve. We report 2 cases in which treatment with bevacizumab (for 3 months in one case and 6 months in the other) induced regression of progressive vestibular schwannomas by more than 40% and substantially improved hearing in the patient treated for 6 months. Bevacizumab therapy may thus provide an effective treatment for progressive vestibular schwannomas in patients with NF2.
Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany. kluwe@uke.uni-hamburg.de
Victor-Felix
VF
Mautner
Rosa
R
Nguyen
Hannes
H
Kutta
Carsten
C
Fuensterer
Carsten
C
Bokemeyer
Christian
C
Hagel
Reinhard E
RE
Friedrich
Jens
J
Panse
D000293:Adolescent; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001299:Audiometry; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D016518:Neurofibromatosis 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D009464:Neuroma, Acoustic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000068258:Bevacizumab