Bevacizumab for Refractory Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Rendu-Osler-Weber Disease

Efficacy and safety of intravenous bevacizumab on severe bleeding associated with hemorrhagic hereditary telangiectasia: A national, randomized multicenter trial

BACKGROUND

Bevacizumab-a humanized monoclonal antibody-has been widely used to treat patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), but no randomized trial has yet been conducted.

METHODS

This study is a double-blind multicenter randomized phase 2 trial with a 1:1 active-treatment-to-placebo ratio. We included patients over the age of 18 with a confirmed diagnosis and the need for at least four red blood cell (RBC) units transfused in the 3 months before study enrollment. Bevacizumab was administered at a dose of 5 mg/kg every 14 days with a total of six injections. The primary efficacy criterion was a decrease of at least 50% in the cumulative number of RBC units transfused in a 3-month period before and after treatment.

RESULTS

A total of 24 patients (12 in each group) were included and randomized at 4 different centers. In intention-to-treat analysis, 63.6% of patients (7/11) in the bevacizumab group versus 33.3% of patients (4/12) in the placebo group decreased the number of blood transfusions by at least 50% (p = 0.22). Hemoglobin levels significantly improved at 6 months in the bevacizumab versus placebo group (p = 0.02). The pharmacokinetics study revealed that patients with high exposure to bevacizumab had a significant decrease in RBC transfusions (p = 0.03). Fifty-nine adverse events were observed, 34 in the placebo arm versus 25 in the bevacizumab arm.

CONCLUSION

Though the present trial was underpowered, patients with HHT receiving bevacizumab required numerically fewer red blood cell transfusions than those receiving placebo, particularly those with high exposure.

Small Bowel Bleeding: Clinical Diagnosis and Management in the Elderly

INTRODUCTION

With the global increase in life expectancy, there is an increase in gastrointestinal presentations in the elderly. Small bowel bleeding (SBB) is a cause of significant morbidity in the elderly requiring multiple hospital visits, investigations and potentially expensive therapy.

AREAS COVERED

In this review we will outline the different modalities which are used for the diagnosis and management of SBB. We will also discuss the common causes of SBB in the elderly.

EXPERT OPINION

SBB in elderly has a significant impact on the quality of life of the elderly. Larger randomized studies in the elderly are urgently required to help guide clinicians on the best and most cost-effective treatment algorithm in this challenging cohort.

Iron Deficiency and the Small bowel​

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article reviews iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and suspected small bowel bleeding (SSBB) from initial consultation through laboratory evaluation, endoscopic evaluation, and therapeutic options.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent guidelines on management of SSBB, IDA, video capsule endoscopy (VCE), and device-assisted enteroscopy (DAE) are reviewed. The advantages and limitations of VCE, DAE, and imaging are discussed. Medical treatment for refractory small bowel bleeding is discussed. Evaluation of IDA starts with a detailed history and physical exam. Additional lab work can establish the diagnosis of IDA and evaluate for associated conditions. If initial endoscopic tests are unrevealing, SSBB should be ruled out. Further investigation can be performed using video capsule endoscopy (VCE), device-assisted enteroscopy (DAE), and imaging. The mainstay of medical treatment of IDA secondary to SSBB is iron supplementation. Additional treatment is tailored to the pathology and may include medical, endoscopic and surgical options.

Systemic Bevacizumab (Avastin) for Juvenile-Onset Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVES

Juvenile onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (JORRP) can cause severe or disseminated disease. Surgical treatment may be inadequate. Systemic bevacizumab has shown initial success for severe JORRP. The objective of this systematic review was to assess usage, effectiveness, and safety of this treatment.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for studies of humans with JORRP treated with systemic bevacizumab. Two researchers independently reviewed the studies to determine inclusion and aggregate data on patient characteristics, dosing protocols, treatment response, adverse events, and level of evidence.

RESULTS

Of 80 identified articles, 12 studies were included detailing 20 distinct cases. At a mean age of 12.8 years (range = 1-43 years) patients received initial dosing of 5 to 10 mg/kg of bevacizumab followed by ongoing doses at a mean 3-week intervals (range = 2-5 weeks). All patients had clinically significant disease reduction with reduced need for surgery. Six patients (30%) had complete response in at least one involved anatomic site. Eleven (55%) required no surgery after initiating treatment. There was recurrence in all four patients whose treatment was stopped, but had rapid improvement with treatment resumption. Six (30%) experienced mild or moderate adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

Marked improvement in severe JORRP has been reported from systemic bevacizumab. Treatment protocols vary, and treatment discontinuation was not feasible in any reported patient. Based on currently available data, systemic bevacizumab can be considered for severe JORRP as it appears to be well tolerated and effective. A clinical trial could enhance the understanding of its safety and efficacy for this indication. Laryngoscope, 131:1138-1146, 2021.

Diagnostic yield of capsule endoscopy for small bowel arteriovenous malformations in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and study aims  Small bowel arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) pose a bleeding risk and have traditionally been diagnosed by invasive enteroscopic procedures in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). Capsule endoscopy (CE) is emerging as a safe and non-invasive alternative for small intestinal evaluation, but its diagnostic yield and utility in diagnosing small bowel AVMs in HHT patients are understudied. The aim of this study was to meta-analyze the utility of CE for diagnosing AVMs in HHT patients. Methods  A meta-analysis and systematic review of the literature on CE in HHT patients identified in the PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane databases from inception to March 2018 were conducted. Summary effects were estimated using a random effects model. Results  After applying exclusion criteria, five studies (n = 124 patients) were eligible for meta-analysis. The pooled diagnostic yield for visualization of small bowel AVMs by CE was 77.0 % (95 % CI 65.8 - 85.4 %, P  < 0.001). Conclusions  CE has a good diagnostic yield for small bowel AVMs in HHT. It can be regarded as a sufficient, noninvasive diagnostic modality for identifying small bowel AVMs in HHT patients.

Safe use of systemic bevacizumab for respiratory recurrent papillomatosis in two children

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis can be a devastating condition for a child, with severe consequences. Currently, there is no proven successful medical treatment. We describe the use of systemic bevacizumab to treat two children affected by aggressive recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. Respiratory symptoms and quality of life improved dramatically in both patients, without observing any toxicity. The only complication was mild proteinuria. Systemic bevacizumab is a promising adjuvant treatment in aggressive recurrent respiratory papillomatosis in children. It is effective and well tolerated. Further studies are needed to establish the optimal dosing frequency and duration of therapy. Laryngoscope, 129:1001-1004, 2019.