AI-18 * WOUND HEALING COMPLICATIONS IN A SERIES OF BRAIN TUMOR PATIENTS ON BEVACIZUMAB

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: Wound healing complications with Bevacizumab (BV) are well-established adverse events in other solid tumors. Here, we report a series of 14 cases of glioblastoma patients who developed wound healing complications while on BV treatment, either related to craniotomy (n = 8) or other soft tissue wounds (n = 6). RESULTS: Median age was 54 years (range 29-76), 5 were female (35.7%) and 9 were male (64.3%). The median duration of treatment with BV was 149 days (range 6-1,155 days). The dose was 10 mg/kg for 11 pts (78.6%) and 5 mg/kg for 3 pts (21.4%), given every 2 weeks for the majority of patients. Nine pts were on corticosteroids, median dose was 8 mg (range 1-150 mg) for a median of 131 days (range 9-1,546 days) prior to starting BV. For dehisced craniotomy wounds, median time for starting BV from last surgery was 29 days (range 27-345). The median time from starting BV to developing wound complication was 44 days (range 0-173). Seven (87.5%) had infected wounds requiring antibiotics and hospitalization. Four (50%) required plastic surgery. BV was stopped and safely resumed in 6 (75%) patients; the median delay was 70 days (range 34-346). The non-craniotomy related soft tissue wounds were related to decubitus ulcer, dehisced abdominal striae, herpes simplex, trauma to hand and back, and abscess. The median time from starting BV to developing wound issues was 72 days (range 6-559). Five (83.3%) were infected and required antibiotics. Although three (50%) patients required hospitalization, none required plastic surgery. Treatment was stopped in five (83.3%) and restarted in two (median delay 48 days, range 26-69). CONCLUSION: While craniotomy-related post-surgical wound healing complications are well known with BV use, other soft tissue wound-related complications are uncommon. The strong association with long-term corticosteroid use warrants attention and further investigation.