English 
Italian CASI CLINICI – Case Reports
Volume:
Biochimica Clinica 2018; 42(1) e05-e07
Published on-line:
February 2, 2018
DOI:
10.19186/BC_2018.011
Interferenze da farmaci biologici: un caso di accumulo di Bevacizumab
AUTHORS
1UO Patologia Clinica, Istituto Nazionale Tumori Regina Elena IRCCS (IFO), Roma
2UO Oncologia Medica, Istituto Nazionale Tumori Regina Elena IRCCS (IFO), Roma
3Servizio Medicina di Laboratorio, IRCCS Multimedica, Milano
ABSTRACT
Interference by biological anti-cancer drugs: the case of Bevacizumab
We report a case of interference with electrophoretic (CZE) and immunofixation (IFE) techniques after repeated cycles of a biological anti-cancer drug. A man, with colon neoplasia, underwent a prolonged therapy with Bevacizumab and other chemoterapeutic agents from September 2013 until May 2015. Before therapy, the electrophoretic pattern was normal while, during treatment, it showed a modification suggestive of the presence of a monoclonal component (MC) that was possible to type (IgG k) and to quantify (8 g/L) after 22 cycles of therapy. The cooperation with clinicians and our study about biological drugs, allowed us to recognize this MC as an interference due to the accumulation of Bevacizumab in the serum of the patient. The laboratory report of a MC would have involved the patient in further procedures that are invasive, cost and time expensive. This case emphasizes the importance of a strict collaboration between physicians and the clinical laboratory in the management of patients treated with biological drugs.