Bevacizumab induces regression of vestibular schwannomas leading to improved hearing in neurofibromatosis type 2 patients

Bilateral vestibular schwannomas are the hallmark of neurofibromatosis type 2 which impair hearing and lead frequently to deafness. Neurosurgical intervention, the only established treatment, often damages the vestibular nerve. We report two cases in which 3- and 6-month treatment of bevacizumab induced significant regression of progressive vestibular schwannomas by over 40% and improved hearing significantly in the patient treated for 6 months. Bemacizumab-therapy may thus provide an effective treatment for progressive vestibular schwannomas in neurofibromatosis type 2 patients.