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Review
. 2019 Feb 7;18(1):21.
doi: 10.1186/s12943-019-0950-1.

Bevacizumab treatment for radiation brain necrosis: mechanism, efficacy and issues

Hongqing Zhuang  1   2 , Siyu Shi  3 , Zhiyong Yuan  4 , Joe Y Chang  5
Affiliations
Review

Bevacizumab treatment for radiation brain necrosis: mechanism, efficacy and issues

Hongqing Zhuang et al. Mol Cancer. .

Abstract

Vascular damage is followed by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression at high levels, which is an important mechanism forradiation brain necrosis development. Bevacizumab alleviates brain edema symptoms caused by radiation brain necrosis through inhibiting VEGF and acting on vascular tissue around the brain necrosis area. Many studies have confirmed that bevacizumab effectively relieves symptoms caused by brain necrosis, improves patients' Karnofsky performance status (KPS) scores and brain necrosis imaging. However, necrosis is irreversible, and hypoxia and ischemia localized in the brain necrosis area may easily lead to radiation brain necrosis recurrence after bevacizumab is discontinued. Further studies are necessary to investigate brain necrosis diagnoses, bevacizumab indications, and the optimal mode of administration, bevacizumab resistance and necrosis with a residual or recurrent tumor.

Keywords: Bevacizumab; Drug resistance; Indication; Radiation brain necrosis.

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Not applicable.

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All authors agree to publish in the magazine. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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None.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Mechanisms for bevacizumab treatment of radiation brain necrosis
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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