EPID-10. SEIZURE CONTROL BY BEVACIZUMAB IN GLIOBLASTOMA PATIENTS

Abstract

Abstract Seizures are a frequent symptom in patients with glioblastoma and bear a relevant impact on quality of life. Likewise, anti-epileptic treatment may affect patients’ well-being due to side effects. Here, we assessed whether owing to relieve from edema and intracranial pressure, treatment with bevacizumab for recurrent glioblastoma might contribute to seizure control.We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of adult patients with glioblastoma who were treated with bevacizumab versus a non-bevacizumab-containing regimen for first recurrence of glioblastoma in the Canton of Zurich between 2010 and 2014 and assessed occurrence and dynamics of seizures before and after first recurrence. Categorical and continuous variables were compared by the Chi-square and the Mann-Whitney U test, respectively. Associations of clinical parameters and seizures were analyzed by binary logistic regression.We identified 55 patients with glioblastoma who had received bevacizumab and 61 patients that received a non-bevacizumab-containing regimen at first recurrence. Seizures were noted in 42 of 111 patients (37.8%) during the 12 weeks preceding tumor recurrence. In the non-bevacizumab group, 23 patients (39.0%) still suffered from seizures 3 months after recurrence whereas only 4 patients (7.7%) in the bevacizumab group experienced seizures (p < 0.001). Multivariable binary logistic regression analyses, including sex, age, performance status, extent of resection, O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation status and first-line treatment confirmed bevacizumab to be inversely associated with seizures in the 12 weeks after first recurrence (odds ratio (OR) 0.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.06-0.94, p = 0.009).Bevacizumab may contribute to a reduction in seizure frequency in patients with recurrent glioblastoma.