Complete remission of ovarian cancer induced intractable malignant ascites with intraperitoneal bevacizumab. Immunological observations and a literature review

Invest New Drugs. 2010 Dec;28(6):887-94. doi: 10.1007/s10637-009-9351-4. Epub 2009 Nov 24.

Abstract

Malignant ascites resistant to conventional drugs frequently affects ovarian cancer patients at the end of life. Here we report the case of a patient who benefited from complete resolution of ascites after low dose intraperitoneal administration of bevacizumab. Immunological analyses showed an initial increase in proportion and function of CD8(+) effector T cells and a reduction of circulating T(reg) cells. A review of the current literature regarding bevacizumab in ovarian cancer is reported. Bevacizumab has shown a high efficacy in the treatment of ovarian cancer. Intraperitoneal administration induces an immune activation and appears promising in the treatment of malignant ascites.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Ascites / drug therapy*
  • Ascites / etiology
  • Ascites / immunology*
  • Bevacizumab
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intraperitoneal
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
  • Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • Middle Aged
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / complications*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / immunology
  • Pilot Projects
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Recurrence
  • Remission Induction

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Bevacizumab
  • Interferon-gamma