MET-8 EFFECT OF VEGF-TARGETED THERAPY FOR SYMPTOMATIC/REFRACTORY BRAIN EDEMA CAUSED BY METASTATIC BRAIN TUMORS

• Published in: Neuro-oncology advances Vol. 4; no. Supplement_3; p. iii22
• Main Authors: Fumiyuki, Yamasaj, Takayasu, Takeshi, Yonezawa, Ushio, Taguchi, Akira, Onishi, Shumpei, Novita, Ikbar, Sugiyama, Kazuhiko, Horie, Nobutaka
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: US Oxford University Press 03.12.2022
• Subjects: Abstracts
• ISSN: 2632-2498; 2632-2498
• DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdac167.085

Abstract Background Molecular target therapy with EGFR and ALK inhibitors greatly improved the prognosis of lung cancer patients with driver mutation-positive metastatic brain tumors. Inhibitors of VEGF are also useful for treating brain edema induced by brain metastases. In this study, we examined the impact of VEGF inhibitors on symptomatic/refractory edema in metastatic brain tumors. Materials and Methods This retrospective study included the patients with metastatic brain tumors who received VEGF-targeted therapy for symptomatic/refractory brain edema. The primary cancer site, radiation therapy for metastatic brain tumors, corticosteroid administration, symptoms, Karnofsky performance status, and MR imagings before and after VEGF-targeted therapy were all gathered from the patient's medical records. Results 19 patients with symptomatic/refractory cerebral edema [NSCLC(15), LCNEC(1), SCLC(1), breast cancer(2), colorectal cancer (2)] were treated with anti-VEGF medication. Nine patients were treated with bevacizumab as a monotherapy, and 12 patients were treated with bevacizumab or ramucirumab in combination as a multi-drug therapy. Prior brain irradiation was administered to 17 patients. Corticosteroids were used to treat brain edema in 8 patients. VEGF inhibitors were effective in all patients, improving symptoms by reducing brain edema. Conclusion We recommend VEGF inhibitor for symptomatic/refractory edema of metastatic brain tumors. This treatment may be successful independent of the primary cancer site.