Pazopanib therapy for cerebellar hemangioblastomas in von Hippel-Lindau disease: case report

Target Oncol. 2012 Jun;7(2):145-9. doi: 10.1007/s11523-012-0214-0. Epub 2012 Feb 29.

Abstract

von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is a genetically acquired multisystem tumor syndrome of the viscera and central nervous system (CNS). The most common tumors associated with this disease are histologically benign, slow-growing CNS hemangioblastomas affecting the retina, cerebellum, brainstem, spinal cord or nerve roots. With mean age at diagnosis of 30 years, CNS hemangioblastomas are usually the first manifestation of the disease. Ongoing clinical and radiological surveillance is required, with symptomatic lesions necessitating treatment. As tumor growth is inevitable during the lifetime of most VHL patients, and the multiplicity of tumors may preclude surgical cure, the search for effective therapies is ongoing. Here we provide the first report demonstrating clinical and radiological anti-tumor response using pazopanib, a small molecule multi-receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in a patient with treatment-refractory VHL-associated CNS hemangioblastoma. Treatment initiation with daily oral pazopanib (800 mg/day) resulted in significant neurologic improvement and radiologic tumor volume reduction.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cerebellar Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Cerebellar Neoplasms / pathology
  • Hemangioblastoma / drug therapy*
  • Hemangioblastoma / pathology
  • Humans
  • Indazoles
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pyrimidines / therapeutic use*
  • Sulfonamides / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • von Hippel-Lindau Disease / pathology*

Substances

  • Indazoles
  • Pyrimidines
  • Sulfonamides
  • pazopanib