Case Report: Implication of antiangiogenic therapy (bevacizumab) along with dichloroacetate therapy on endometriosis patient seeking infertility treatment

Abstract

Endometriosis is a pervasive gynecological ailment which usually results in unease and infertility and is signified by an accumulation of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus. Current endometriosis medications, which often entail surgical intervention and hormone therapy, are geared around easing discomfort as well as improving fertility.  However, alternative approaches targeting angiogenesis have shown promise in managing endometriosis-associated infertility. This case report highlights the implications of combining antiangiogenic therapy (bevacizumab) with dichloroacetate (DCA) therapy in a patient with endometriosis seeking infertility treatment. A 34-year-old woman presented with a five-year history of severe pelvic pain and primary infertility due to stage IV endometriosis. The patient sought other possibilities after repeated unsuccessful attempts using assisted reproductive technology. A revolutionary therapy strategy combining bevacizumab, a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor, and DCA, a metabolic modulator, has been proposed considering the potential significance of angiogenesis in endometriosis-related infertility. The patient underwent a six-month treatment regimen consisting of intravenous bevacizumab infusions combined with oral DCA administration. The theory behind this combination was to target the metabolic reprogramming typically associated with the disease in addition to altering the abnormal angiogenic signaling pathways that contribute to the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Given the scores on the visual analogue scale, the patient's pelvic pain substantially decreased during the time frame of treatment. Additionally, a notable improvement in ovarian reserve markers was observed, including an increase in anti-Müllerian hormone levels and the number of antral follicles. This case report suggests that the combination of bevacizumab and DCA may have a synergistic effect in managing endometriosis-associated infertility. This form of therapy may provide patients who have failed typical infertility treatment options with an innovative therapeutic approach since it targets both angiogenesis and metabolic changes.