Development of vitreous haemorrhage during treatment with bevacizumab for metastatic rectal cancer

Clin Drug Investig. 2008;28(8):523-6. doi: 10.2165/00044011-200828080-00007.

Abstract

Bevacizumab is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody with activity against vascular endothelial growth factor used in the treatment of various cancers. This case report describes a 68-year-old [corrected] male with rectal cancer who developed a vitreous haemorrhage during treatment with bevacizumab. After vitrectomy the vitreous haemorrhage subsided and visual acuity was restored. The patient had evidence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which may have induced the development of vitreous haemorrhage. This implies that AMD might serve as a risk factor for vitreous haemorrhage in cancer patients treated with systemic bevacizumab. Ophthalmological examination to identify AMD lesions may be necessary prior to administration of bevacizumab. Vitrectomy could serve as a management tool for bevacizumab-associated vitreous haemorrhage.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / drug therapy*
  • Adenocarcinoma / secondary
  • Aged
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / adverse effects*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Bevacizumab
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Liver Neoplasms / secondary
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Lung Neoplasms / secondary
  • Male
  • Rectal Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Rectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Tranexamic Acid / therapeutic use
  • Vitrectomy
  • Vitreous Hemorrhage / chemically induced*
  • Vitreous Hemorrhage / drug therapy
  • Vitreous Hemorrhage / surgery

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Bevacizumab
  • Tranexamic Acid