Objective: To provide detailed guidance on the administration of systemic bevacizumab in patients with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) based on a detailed review of the scientific literature and a consensus of experts with real-world clinical experience.
Methods: A bevacizumab consensus working group (N = 10) was composed of adult and pediatric otolaryngologists, adult and pediatric oncologists, and a representative from the RRP Foundation (RRPF), all with experience administering systemic bevacizumab in patients with RRP. After extensive review of the medical literature, a modified Delphi method-based survey series was utilized to establish consensus on the following key areas: clinical and patient characteristics ideal for treatment candidacy, patient perspective in treatment decisions, treatment access, initial dosing, monitoring, guidelines for tapering and discontinuation, and reintensifying therapy.
Results: Seventy-nine statements were identified across nine critical domains, and 45 reached consensus [clinical benefits of bevacizumab (3), patient and disease characteristics for treatment consideration (7), contraindications for treatment (3), shared decision-making (incorporating the patient perspective) (5), treatment access (3), initial dosing and administration (8), monitoring (7), tapering and discontinuation (6), and reintensification (3)].
Conclusion: This consensus statement provides the necessary guidance for clinicians to initiate systemic administration of bevacizumab and represents a potential paradigm shift toward nonsurgical treatment options for patients with RRP.
Level of evidence: 5 Laryngoscope, 2024.
Keywords: Avastin; administration; consensus; systemic bevacizumab.
© 2024 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.