Adverse effects of bevacizumab in metastatic colorectal cancer : a case report and literature review

Abstract

Colorectal cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed malignancies worldwide. One of the most important developments in the management of metastatic colorectal cancer is targeted therapy. Bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody inhibiting VEGF induced angiogenesis, has been accepted as safe and efficient in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer for more than a decade. Addition of bevacizumab to fluorouracil-based chemotherapy is also associated with severe adverse events. We present a case of bevacizumab-induced bowel ischaemia associated with gastrointestinal haemorrhage.

Keywords: Bevacizumab; bowel ischaemia; gastro-intestinal bleeding; metastatic colorectal cancer.