Clinical Edge

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Antiangiogenics Linked to Fatal Bleeds After RT in “Ultracentral” Lung Tumors

Key clinical point: In patients with tumors bordering the central airway, use of antiangiogenic agents has been linked to fatal hemorrhage after stereotactic body radiation therapy.

Major finding: There were 6 fatal pulmonary hemorrhages, of which 4 occurred in patients receiving bevacizumab or pazopanib within 30 days of stereotactic body radiation therapy.

Study details: A retrospective case series including 88 patients with lung tumors abutting the proximal bronchial tree or a planned target volume overlapping the esophagus.

Disclosures: Partial support came from the National Institutes of Health, the China Scholarship Council, and the Joanne & John Dallepezze Foundation. The investigators reported disclosures related to AstraZeneca, CivaTech Oncology, Alpha Tau Medical, Varian Medical Systems, Boehringer Ingelheim, Pfizer, Merck, and Elekta.

Citation:

Wu AJ et al. JAMA Oncol. 2019 Apr 4. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2019.0205.