Intravenous Bevacizumab Therapy in a Patient with Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia, ENG E137K, Alcoholic Cirrhosis, and Portal Hypertension

Abstract

Intravenous bevacizumab decreased mucosal bleeding in some patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). We treated a 47-year-old male who had HHT, severe epistaxis, and gastrointestinal bleeding, alcoholic cirrhosis, and portal hypertension with intravenous bevacizumab 2.5 mg/kg every 2 weeks. We tabulated these measures weekly during weeks 1–33 (no bevacizumab); 34–57 (bevacizumab); and 58–97 (no bevacizumab): hemoglobin (Hb) levels; platelet counts; units of transfused packed erythrocytes (PRBC units); and quantities of iron infused as iron dextran to support erythropoiesis. We performed univariate and multivariable analyses. We sequenced his ENG and ACVRL1 genes. Epistaxis and melena decreased markedly during bevacizumab treatment. He reported no adverse effects due to bevacizumab. Mean weekly Hb levels were significantly higher and mean weekly PRBC units and quantities of intravenous iron were significantly lower during bevacizumab treatment. We performed a multiple regression on weekly Hb levels using these independent variables: bevacizumab treatment (dichotomous); weekly platelet counts; weekly PRBC units; and weekly quantities of intravenous iron. There was 1 positive association: (bevacizumab treatment; p = 0.0046) and 1 negative association (PRBC units; p = 0.0004). This patient had the novel ENG mutation E137K (exon 4; c.409G→A). Intravenous bevacizumab treatment 2.5 mg/kg every 2 weeks for 24 weeks was well-tolerated by a patient with HHT due to ENG E137K and was associated with higher weekly Hb levels and fewer weekly PRBC units.

Keywords

• Bevacizumab
• ENG E137K
• Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia
• Iron dextran
• Transfusion
• Vascular endothelial growth factor