The role of VEGF receptor inhibitors in preventing cerebral radiation necrosis: a retrospective cohort study.

Publication/Presentation Date

2-1-2021

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Radiation necrosis (RN) is a potential complication after radiation therapy for brain tumors. It is hypothesized that VEGF plays an important role in the pathophysiology of RN. Bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody against VEGF-A, is often successful in the management of RN. The objective of this study is to assess whether VEGF receptor (VEGFR) inhibitors, a group of oral tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), can prevent or reverse RN.

METHODS: We retrospectively studied a cohort of 102 patients with renal cell carcinoma and brain metastases seen at The Ohio State University James Cancer Center between January 1, 2011 and April 30, 2019. We identified those who developed RN and analyzed the temporal relationship between the use of VEGFR TKIs and the development of RN.

RESULTS: The cumulative incidence of RN is 13.7% after radiation treatments that included LINAC-based stereotactic radiosurgery, fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy, or Gamma Knife radiosurgery. There was no statistically significant difference in the cumulative incidence of RN between patients taking TKIs and patients who were off TKIs (9.9% and 11.5% respectively,

CONCLUSIONS: VEGFR TKIs do not consistently prevent RN. The therapeutic effects of VEGFR TKIs against RN warrant further research.

Volume

8

Issue

1

First Page

75

Last Page

80

ISSN

2054-2577

Disciplines

Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods

PubMedID

33664972

Department(s)

Administration and Leadership

Document Type

Article

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