Cutaneous Cell-Mediated Delayed Hypersensitivity to Intravitreal Bevacizumab. 2020

Anthony Fam, and Paul T Finger
Department of Ocular Tumor, Orbital Disease and Ophthalmic Radiation Therapy., The New York Eye Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.

The literature contains few reports describing autoimmune reactions to intravitreal bevacizumab and no Type-IV delayed hypersensitivity reactions. This was unexpected, as administration of intravenous bevacizumab has frequently caused dermatologic side-effects. This difference was likely attributable in part to the minimum 300-times difference between intravitreal versus intravenous dosing. Here, we present a case of a 52-year-old male who was treated with plaque brachytherapy for a subfoveal choroidal melanoma. The patient was treated with intravitreal bevacizumab for macular edema, retinal detachment and to delay radiation retinopathy. Following his eighth injection, the patient experienced pruritus, rashes, and progressive exacerbations associated with subsequent injections. Cessation of bevacizumab with or without medication (e.g., oral steroid, antihistamine) resulted in complete remission. Switching to periodic intravitreal aflibercept resulted in no additional cutaneous reactions. Physicians administering intravitreal bevacizumab should be aware of this potential systemic side-effect. Its delayed time course facilitates identification and, thus, treatment to resolution.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008269 Macular Edema Fluid accumulation in the outer layer of the MACULA LUTEA that results from intraocular or systemic insults. It may develop in a diffuse pattern where the macula appears thickened or it may acquire the characteristic petaloid appearance referred to as cystoid macular edema. Although macular edema may be associated with various underlying conditions, it is most commonly seen following intraocular surgery, venous occlusive disease, DIABETIC RETINOPATHY, and posterior segment inflammatory disease. (From Survey of Ophthalmology 2004; 49(5) 470-90) Central Retinal Edema, Cystoid,Cystoid Macular Edema,Macular Edema, Cystoid,Cystoid Macular Dystrophy,Cystoid Macular Edema, Postoperative,Irvine-Gass Syndrome,Macular Dystrophy, Dominant Cystoid,Edema, Cystoid Macular,Edema, Macular,Irvine Gass Syndrome,Syndrome, Irvine-Gass
D008297 Male Males
D008545 Melanoma A malignant neoplasm derived from cells that are capable of forming melanin, which may occur in the skin of any part of the body, in the eye, or, rarely, in the mucous membranes of the genitalia, anus, oral cavity, or other sites. It occurs mostly in adults and may originate de novo or from a pigmented nevus or malignant lentigo. Melanomas frequently metastasize widely, and the regional lymph nodes, liver, lungs, and brain are likely to be involved. The incidence of malignant skin melanomas is rising rapidly in all parts of the world. (Stedman, 25th ed; from Rook et al., Textbook of Dermatology, 4th ed, p2445) Malignant Melanoma,Malignant Melanomas,Melanoma, Malignant,Melanomas,Melanomas, Malignant
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D012163 Retinal Detachment Separation of the inner layers of the retina (neural retina) from the pigment epithelium. Retinal detachment occurs more commonly in men than in women, in eyes with degenerative myopia, in aging and in aphakia. It may occur after an uncomplicated cataract extraction, but it is seen more often if vitreous humor has been lost during surgery. (Dorland, 27th ed; Newell, Ophthalmology: Principles and Concepts, 7th ed, p310-12). Retinal Pigment Epithelial Detachment,Detachment, Retinal,Detachments, Retinal,Retinal Detachments
D001918 Brachytherapy A collective term for interstitial, intracavity, and surface radiotherapy. It uses small sealed or partly-sealed sources that may be placed on or near the body surface or within a natural body cavity or implanted directly into the tissues. Curietherapy,Implant Radiotherapy,Plaque Therapy, Radioisotope,Radioisotope Brachytherapy,Radiotherapy, Interstitial,Radiotherapy, Intracavity,Radiotherapy, Surface,Brachytherapy, Radioisotope,Interstitial Radiotherapy,Intracavity Radiotherapy,Radioisotope Plaque Therapy,Radiotherapy, Implant,Surface Radiotherapy,Therapy, Radioisotope Plaque
D002830 Choroid Neoplasms Tumors of the choroid; most common intraocular tumors are malignant melanomas of the choroid. These usually occur after puberty and increase in incidence with advancing age. Most malignant melanomas of the uveal tract develop from benign melanomas (nevi). Choroidal Neoplasms,Choroid Neoplasm,Choroidal Neoplasm,Neoplasm, Choroid,Neoplasm, Choroidal,Neoplasms, Choroid,Neoplasms, Choroidal
D004342 Drug Hypersensitivity Immunologically mediated adverse reactions to medicinal substances used legally or illegally. Allergy, Drug,Hypersensitivity, Drug,Drug Allergy,Allergies, Drug,Drug Allergies,Drug Hypersensitivities,Hypersensitivities, Drug
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000068258 Bevacizumab An anti-VEGF humanized murine monoclonal antibody. It inhibits VEGF RECEPTORS and helps to prevent PATHOLOGIC ANGIOGENESIS. Avastin,Bevacizumab-awwb,Mvasi,Bevacizumab awwb

Related Publications

Anthony Fam, and Paul T Finger
February 1996, Contact dermatitis,
Anthony Fam, and Paul T Finger
February 1973, Cancer research,
Anthony Fam, and Paul T Finger
January 1967, British medical bulletin,
Anthony Fam, and Paul T Finger
December 2001, Archives of pathology & laboratory medicine,
Anthony Fam, and Paul T Finger
January 2015, Dermatitis : contact, atopic, occupational, drug,
Anthony Fam, and Paul T Finger
September 1982, Southern medical journal,
Anthony Fam, and Paul T Finger
October 1983, The Journal of experimental medicine,
Anthony Fam, and Paul T Finger
August 1975, Surgery,
Anthony Fam, and Paul T Finger
September 2023, Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV,
Anthony Fam, and Paul T Finger
January 1981, Annales de l'anesthesiologie francaise,
Copied contents to your clipboard!