Severe, but manageable hypoxia caused by bronchospasm induced by bevacizumab

Abstract

Bevacizumab has a lower risk of treatment-related infusion reactions than other humanized monoclonal antibodies, and bronchospasm induced by bevacizumab has not been reported. We administered bevacizumab 15 mg/kg over 90 min infusion to a 34 year-old man with lung adenocarcinoma and childhood asthma. Then, grade 3 hypoxia developed and improved spontaneously. This reversible obstructive lung disorder was confirmed using a flow-volume loop, and the patient was diagnosed as having a bronchospasm due to infusion reaction of bevacizumab. This bronchospasm was easily manageable and preventable using an oral bronchodilator and an inhalant combination product, and the patient continued with bevacizumab therapy until the disease progression.