Is Bevacizumab Safe for Patients with Brain Metastases?

Bevacizumab did not appear to raise risk for cerebral hemorrhage substantially in these patients.

Since publication of results of a phase I trial of bevacizumab, in which a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma and brain metastasis suffered a fatal cerebral hemorrhage, clinicians have generally avoided using this agent in patients with central nervous system (CNS) metastases. However, the accumulation of more safety data and clinical experience with bevacizumab has led many to question this practice. An industry-supported retrospective analysis of safety data from 17 trials was performed to assess risk for cerebral hemorrhage in patients with CNS metastases who received bevacizumab.

Three datasets that included more than 12,000 patients with lung, breast, renal, colon, and pancreatic cancers were analyzed: 2 prospective studies of bevaci…

Reviewing Author

Robert Dreicer, MD, MS, FACP

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAstellas; Aveo; Bayer; Gilead; Merck; Pfizer; Propella; Macrogenics

Editorial BoardsCurrent Urology Reports

Robert Dreicer, MD, MS, FACP

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAstellas; Aveo; Bayer; Gilead; Merck; Pfizer; Propella; Macrogenics

Editorial BoardsCurrent Urology Reports