scholarly journals 62 Improvement of hearing with bevacizumab in a patient with neurofibromatosis type 2 and bilateral acoustic schwannomas

Author(s):  
Dimas Yusuf ◽  
Cian O’Kelly ◽  
Jacob C. Easaw

BACKGROUND: Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is a rare genetic condition caused by mutations in the Merlin gene on chromosome 22. It results in acoustic neuromas (schwannomas) and other CNS tumors including meningiomas and ependymomas. Most patients develop hearing loss as a result of neuroma-driven destruction of auditory nerves. Surgery and radiation therapy remain the two most commonly recommended treatment options. However, there is a risk of further hearing loss with these procedures. There is emerging evidence that bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody against VEGF-A, can shrink acoustic neuromas and mitigate hearing loss. CASE PRESENTATION: A 34-year-old female with bilateral acoustic neuromas from NF2 suffers partial hearing loss in the left ear and total hearing loss in the right ear after removal of the right-sided neuroma. Baseline MRI showed a left-sided acoustic neuroma (15 x 13 mm) and recurrence of the right-sided neuroma (18 x 14 mm). Bevacizumab was initiated at 5 mg/kg IV every 14 days. After 8 cycles, the patient reported marked improvement in hearing. At lower frequencies (< 1,000 Hz, the range of human voice), auditory thresholds improved by up to 60% of baseline, while at higher frequencies, improvements of up to 46% were seen. Repeat imaging showed no disease progression. CONCLUSIONS: Bevacizumab led to hearing improvement and prevention of disease progression after 8 cycles of therapy. This treatment should be considered in patients with NF2 and acoustic neuromas who wish to pursue a less-invasive treatment option with the potential of delaying progression and mitigating hearing loss.

2018 ◽  
Vol 160 (3) ◽  
pp. 526-532 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pavlina Sverak ◽  
Meredith E. Adams ◽  
Stephen J. Haines ◽  
Samuel C. Levine ◽  
David Nascene ◽  
...  

Objective Bevacizumab for hearing preservation in patients with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is an emerging practice. We set out to characterize the effectiveness and toxicity of bevacizumab in our patient group. Study Design Case series with chart review. Setting Tertiary referral center. Subjects and Methods Seventeen consecutive patients with NF2 received bevacizumab treatment for vestibular schwannomas, including 2 patients treated to maintain cochlear implant performance. Volumetric analysis of serial magnetic resonance imaging scans was used to evaluate radiographic response, and hearing response was evaluated with serial audiograms. Patient-reported outcomes were also assessed, including subjective hearing improvement, changes in tinnitus, vertigo, headaches, ear pain, and improvement in ability to communicate via telephone. Results A positive radiographic response occurred in 8 of 17 (47%) patients and the median tumor volume change was a tumor decrease of 19%. A positive hearing response was recorded in 5 of 9 (56%) patients. Two patients had a word recognition score improvement over 40%. There was an approximately 40% improvement in patient-reported outcomes. Primary toxicities included hypertension, proteinuria, dysgeusia, and amenorrhea. Conclusion Bevacizumab treatment was followed by hearing improvement in 56% of patients, while decreased tumor volume was noted in 47%. These outcomes agree favorably with prior reported series. There were significant improvements in patient-reported outcomes that have not been described previously.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (35) ◽  
pp. 3446-3454 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott R. Plotkin ◽  
Dan G. Duda ◽  
Alona Muzikansky ◽  
Jeffrey Allen ◽  
Jaishri Blakeley ◽  
...  

PURPOSE Bevacizumab treatment at 7.5 mg/kg every 3 weeks results in improved hearing in approximately 35%-40% of patients with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) and progressive vestibular schwannomas (VSs). However, the optimal dose is unknown. In this multicenter phase II and biomarker study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of high-dose bevacizumab in pediatric and adult patients with NF2 with progressive VS. PATIENTS AND METHODS Bevacizumab was given for 6 months at 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks, followed by 18 months at 5 mg/kg every 3 weeks. The primary end point was hearing response defined by word recognition score (WRS) at 6 months. Secondary end points included toxicity, radiographic response, quality of life (QOL), and plasma biomarkers. RESULTS Twenty-two participants with NF2 (median age, 23 years) with progressive hearing loss in the target ear (median baseline WRS, 53%) were enrolled. Nine (41%) of 22 participants achieved a hearing response at 6 months (1 of 7 children and 8 of 15 adults; P = .08). Radiographic response was seen in 7 (32%) of 22 patients with VS at 6 months (7 of 15 adults and 0 of 7 children; P = .05). Common mild to moderate adverse events included hypertension, fatigue, headache, and irregular menstruation. Improvement in NF2-related QOL and reduction in tinnitus-related distress were reported in 30% and 60% of participants, respectively. Paradoxically, high-dose bevacizumab treatment was not associated with a significant decrease in free vascular endothelial growth factor but was associated with increased carbonic anhydrase IX, hepatocyte growth factor, placental growth factor, stromal cell-derived factor 1α, and basic fibroblast growth factor concentrations in plasma. CONCLUSION High-dose bevacizumab seems to be no more effective than standard-dose bevacizumab for treatment of patients with NF2 with hearing loss. In contrast to adults, pediatric participants did not experience tumor shrinkage. However, adult and pediatric participants reported similar improvement in QOL during induction. Novel approaches using bevacizumab should be considered for children with NF2.


1996 ◽  
Vol 106 (6) ◽  
pp. 694-699 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mona M. Abaza ◽  
Erini Makariou ◽  
Mark Armstrong ◽  
Anil K. Lalwani

Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 2355
Author(s):  
Isabel Gugel ◽  
Florian Grimm ◽  
Julian Zipfel ◽  
Christian Teuber ◽  
Ulrike Ernemann ◽  
...  

The presenting symptoms of the tumor suppressor gene syndrome neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) are often non-specific and unrelated to the disease hallmark bilateral vestibular schwannomas (VS). However, age at onset and presenting symptoms may have predictive values for the clinical course of VS. In this retrospective single-center study, we addressed this issue by reviewing 106 patients with 194 VS. Presenting symptoms attributable to VS commonly occur in 87% of adults and 31% of children. Age at onset significantly correlates with tumor volumes at presentation (p = 0.034). In addition, age at onset significantly correlates with pure-tone average (p = 0.0001), speech discrimination scores (p = 0.001), age at beginning of hearing loss (p = 0.0001), age at deafness (p = 0.0001), and age at first surgery (p = 0.0001). Patients presenting with VS related symptoms had significantly (p < 0.05) worse hearing values at presentation and after surgery. These patients also exhibited higher growth rates and tumor volumes compared to patients with non-VS related presenting symptoms, but this difference did not reach the significance level of p < 0.05. Due to the late appearance of these symptoms, the time of beginning hearing loss, surgery and deafness is significantly delayed (p < 0.05) compared to patients not presenting with VS. In summary, age at onset and type of presenting symptom provide excellent prognostic parameters for predicting VS- and hearing-related clinical course.


1995 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. K. Bijlsma ◽  
P. Merel ◽  
P. Fleury ◽  
C. J. van Asperen ◽  
A. Westerveld ◽  
...  

Neurosurgery ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
pp. 370-377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniele Bernardeschi ◽  
Matthieu Peyre ◽  
Michael Collin ◽  
Mustapha Smail ◽  
Olivier Sterkers ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND: In neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), multiple therapeutic options are available to prevent bilateral hearing loss that significantly affects the quality of life of patients. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the morbidity and functional results of internal auditory canal (IAC) decompression in NF2 patients with an only hearing ear. METHODS: Twenty-one NF2 patients operated on for IAC decompression in a 3-year period with a minimum follow-up of 1 year were included in this retrospective study. They presented unilateral deafness due to previous contralateral vestibular schwannoma removal in 16 patients or contralateral hearing loss due to the tumor in 5 patients. Hearing level was of class A (American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery classification) in 7 patients, B in 8 patients, C in 1 patient, and D in 5 patients. Pure-tone average and speech discrimination score evaluations were performed at 6 days, 1 year, and during the follow-up. Eight patients had postoperative chemotherapy. RESULTS: No case of facial nerve palsy was observed. In the early postoperative period; all patients maintained the hearing class of the preoperative period. At 1-year follow-up, all but 3 patients maintained their hearing scores; at last follow-up (mean follow-up, 23 + 8 months; range, 12-44 months), hearing classes remained stable with only 1 patient worsening from class B to C and 1 patient improving from class D to B. CONCLUSION: Decompression of IAC seems to be a useful procedure for hearing maintenance in NF2 patients, with very low morbidity. Ideal timing and association with chemotherapy should be evaluated in the future.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. e46132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashok R. Asthagiri ◽  
Raul A. Vasquez ◽  
John A. Butman ◽  
Tianxia Wu ◽  
Keaton Morgan ◽  
...  

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