oc000190 10.3205/oc000190 urn:nbn:de:0183-oc0001900 Case Report Intravitreal melphalan for persistent retinoblastoma vitreous seeds Redondo-Villanueva Redondo-Villanueva Marie Jeazelle H. MJH
University of the Philippines Manila, Philippine General Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Manila, PhilippinesUniversity of the Philippines Manila, Philippine General Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Manila, Philippines
mhredondo@up.edu.ph author Mercado Mercado Gary John V. GJV
University of the Philippines Manila, Philippine General Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Manila, PhilippinesUniversity of the Philippines Manila, Philippine General Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Manila, Philippines
author German Medical Science GMS Publishing House
Düsseldorf
 610 20220208 engl This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. Dieser Artikel ist ein Open-Access-Artikel und steht unter den Lizenzbedingungen der Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (Namensnennung). 2193-1496 12 GMS Ophthalmology Cases GMS Ophthalmol Cases 03 A 7-month-old male presented with bilateral retinoblastoma, initially group E OD and group C OS (International Intraocular Retinoblastoma Classification). The patient underwent enucleation with adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy on the right eye for extraocular retinoblastoma. The main tumors on the left eye regressed with combined neoadjuvant chemotherapy with focal therapy, but had persistent sphere vitreous seeds overlying the tumor at the superotemporal mid-periphery and at the inferior periphery. Intravitreal injection of melphalan was performed. Vitreous seeds were clinically undetectable after 2 cycles of injection. Six months from the 2nd intravitreal injection of melphalan, there was no evidence of new tumors nor vitreous seeds in the left eye. No documented complications of intravitreal melphalan injection were experienced. This is the first documented successful treatment of vitreous seeds with intravitreal melphalan at the Ocular Oncology/Retinoblastoma Unit of the University of the Philippines, Philippine General Hospital. BackgroundVitreous seeding is one of the most challenging features to control in intraocular retinoblastoma management. It results from tumor cells migrating into the vitreous, frequently depositing and growing on the retina . Munier classified 3 different morphologic types of vitreous seeds. They found that aside from differences in morphologic features, these classes of seeds also vary in their response to treatment .Before the pioneering work of Kaneko and Suzuki in the 1990s, the only globe-sparing options available for persistent vitreous seeds were external beam radiotherapy (EBR), and brachytherapy. Primary intravenous systemic chemotherapy provided limited outcomes for vitreous seed control . In fact, only 27–47% of the eyes did not require enucleation and/or EBR with primary systemic chemotherapy alone . With the advent of local chemotherapy (intravitreal or ophthalmic artery injection), outcomes of group D eyes significantly improved with 87% to 100% vitreous seed control documented in several centers using this technique , , , , .We present a case of bilateral retinoblastoma with persistent vitreous seeds, despite systemic intravenous chemotherapy and successfully treated with intravitreal injection of melphalan. It aims to outline management options for recalcitrant vitreous tumor seeding. Case descriptionA 7-month-old male presented with buphthalmos of the right eye due to group E retinoblastoma. On examination, the patient had no dazzle on the right eye, but fixes and follows with the left. The right eye had a shallow anterior chamber and a horizontal corneal diameter of 13 mm with no view on indirect ophthalmoscopy. B-scan ultrasound of the right eye revealed an intraocular mass consistent with retinoblastoma. CT scan showed no evidence of extrascleral, intracranial or optic nerve invasion. Dilated fundoscopy of the left eye revealed 3 retinal tumors measuring 3.5x3.5x3 mm, 9x9x8 mm with overlying vitreous seeds, and 5x5x4.5 mm with surrounding vitreous seeds extending up to mid-vitreous. The patient was diagnosed to have bilateral retinoblastoma, IIRC group E OD and group C OS.Enucleation of the right eye was performed and histopathology was read as extraocular retinoblastoma with high risk features (massive choroidal invasion but no scleral invasion, post-laminar optic nerve invasion) with optic nerve cut end positive for tumor invasion. Adjuvant intravenous systemic chemotherapy (vincristine, etoposide, carboplatin) and orbital radiotherapy was performed.Combined intravenous chemotherapy with focal therapy (thermotherapy and cryotherapy) resulted in regression of the retinal tumors of the left. Partial response of the vitreous seeds was seen, but sphere seeds persisted over the superotemporal tumor and at the inferior periphery (Figure 1 ). Intravitreal injection of melphalan 20 µg/0.05 cc was performed at the inferotemporal midperiphery (4 o’clock) with cryotherapy (triple freeze-thaw) of the injection site, following the procedure described by Shields et al. . The patient received 2 cycles of injection 6 weeks apart, the first concurrent with the 6th cycle of systemic chemotherapy, and the next 6 weeks thereafter.Recurrent vitreous seeds overlying the tumor at the superotemporal mid periphery and at the inferior periphery were clinically undetectable (regression type 0) after 2 cycles of intravitreal melphalan injection (Figure 2 ). There were no new tumors and vitreous seeding observed on the left eye 6 months from the last intravitreal injection of melphalan. There were no documented complications of intravitreal melphalan injection. DiscussionUp until recently, vitreous seeding has been one of the major limiting factors for globe salvage in advanced intraocular retinoblastoma. Recent studies involving intravitreal chemotherapy have been found to be safe and efficacious in controlling vitreous seeding , , , , , , . In a review, Kaneko and Suzuki reported a 51.3% long-term rate of eye preservation with intravitreal injection of melphalan. The study has revolutionized the trea</PlainText></TextGroup>tment for retinoblastoma because it showed that intravitreal chemotherapy is not as dangerous or toxic as previously feared <TextLink reference="1"></TextLink>. Refinement in the injection technique as well as dose adjustment have made it even safer and more efficient. In 2012, Munier et al. reported an 83&#37; success rate of vitreous seed control defined as absence of vitreous and&#47;or epiretinal relapse and absence of the need to enucleation and&#47;or EBR <TextLink reference="4"></TextLink>. In the report, they described their needle tract sterilization and safety precaution techniques <TextLink reference="4"></TextLink>.</Pgraph><Pgraph>Munier introduced a classification scheme for vitreous seeds in retinoblastoma based on differences in their morphologic features as dust, sphere, and clouds <TextLink reference="2"></TextLink>. Francis et al. found that each seed type has a significantly distinct time to regression, number of injections, and cumulative and mean dose of melphalan needed for seed control. Dusts were the fastest to regress, needing the least number of injections and lowest dose of melphalan, whereas clouds were the opposite. They concluded that vitreous seed classification seems to be predictive of the time it will take to control the vitreous seeds, and the number of injections and dose of melphalan necessary. Overall, they reported a 2-year Kaplan Meier estimate for ocular survival at 90.4&#37; and patient survival of 100&#37; <TextLink reference="3"></TextLink>.</Pgraph><Pgraph>Optimal dosage for intravitreal melphalan injection was also investigated. In 2012, Ghassemi and Shields used low dose (8 &#181;g&#47;0.1 mL) intravitreous melphalan for vitreous seeding wherein they documented rapid seed regression and minimal side effects, but later noted vitreous seed recurrence. A 50-&#181;g dose melphalan for 4 cases provided an immediate, short-term, and long-term control of 100&#37;. However, such dose was found to have complications of cataract, vitreous hemorrhage, subretinal hemorrhage, severe hypotonia, and phthisis, leading to enucleation in 2 cases. The authors suggested that an intermediate dose of 20 &#181;g to 30 &#181;g&#47;0.1 mL melphalan was ideal for tumor control and globe safety, avoiding recurrences seen with lower doses and toxicities observed with higher doses <TextLink reference="5"></TextLink>. Shields et al. reported 100&#37; vitreous seed control with little complication in a preliminary study using a standard dose of 20 &#181;g to 30 &#181;g&#47;0.1 mL melphalan with a median number of 6 injections <TextLink reference="6"></TextLink>. This was further refined when Shields et al. presented their retrospective interventional case series of 40 eyes with viable vitreous seeding, wherein they concluded that intravitreal melphalan and&#47;or topotecan injection provides lasting tumor control at 3 years with approximately 4 injections for melphalan and 3 injections for topotecan. The most common complications reported were retinal pigment epithelial mottling (32&#37; risk per eye), paraxial subclinical cataract (25&#37;), minor transient vitreo<TextGroup><PlainText>us h</PlainText></TextGroup>emorrhage (13&#37;), localized retinal hemorrhage (5&#37;), and corneal epitheliopathy (5&#37;). There was no case of endophthalmitis, extraocular tumor extension, metastasis, or death reported after 192 consecutive injections <TextLink reference="8"></TextLink>.</Pgraph><Pgraph>This report describes a case of recalcitrant retinoblastoma vitreous seeds despite intravenous systemic chemotherapy, which was successfully controlled with intravitreal melphalan. Although it is currently used in specialized retinoblastoma care centers in the world, intravitreal injection of chemotherapy has just become available in the Philippines. This is the first documented successful retinoblastoma vitreous seed control utilizing intravitreal melphalan in the University of the Philippines, Philippine General Hospital.</Pgraph></TextBlock> <TextBlock linked="yes" name="Conclusion"> <MainHeadline>Conclusion</MainHeadline><Pgraph>This is the first documented successful retinoblastoma vitreous seed control utilizing intravitreal melphalan injection in the University of the Philippines, Philippine General Hospital. Intravitreal injection of melphalan was found to be safe and efficacious in control of vitreous seeds and eye preservation in retinoblastoma. Optimal dosage and proper injection technique must be used to prevent potential complications.</Pgraph></TextBlock> <TextBlock linked="yes" name="Notes"> <MainHeadline>Notes</MainHeadline><SubHeadline>Competing interests</SubHeadline><Pgraph>The authors declare that they have no competing interests.</Pgraph></TextBlock> <References linked="yes"> <Reference refNo="1"> <RefAuthor>Kaneko A</RefAuthor> <RefAuthor>Suzuki S</RefAuthor> <RefTitle>Eye-preservation treatment of retinoblastoma with vitreous seeding</RefTitle> <RefYear>2003</RefYear> <RefJournal>Jpn J Clin Oncol</RefJournal> <RefPage>601-7</RefPage> <RefTotal>Kaneko A, Suzuki S. Eye-preservation treatment of retinoblastoma with vitreous seeding. Jpn J Clin Oncol. 2003 Dec;33(12):601-7.</RefTotal> </Reference> <Reference refNo="2"> <RefAuthor>Munier FL</RefAuthor> <RefTitle>Classification and management of seeds in retinoblastoma. Ellsworth Lecture Ghent August 24th 2013</RefTitle> <RefYear>2014</RefYear> <RefJournal>Ophthalmic Genet</RefJournal> <RefPage>193-207</RefPage> <RefTotal>Munier FL. Classification and management of seeds in retinoblastoma. Ellsworth Lecture Ghent August 24th 2013. Ophthalmic Genet. 2014 Dec;35(4):193-207. DOI: 10.3109&#47;13816810.2014.973045</RefTotal> <RefLink>https:&#47;&#47;doi.org&#47;10.3109&#47;13816810.2014.973045</RefLink> </Reference> <Reference refNo="3"> <RefAuthor>Francis JH</RefAuthor> <RefAuthor>Abramson DH</RefAuthor> <RefAuthor>Gaillard MC</RefAuthor> <RefAuthor>Marr BP</RefAuthor> <RefAuthor>Beck-Popovic M</RefAuthor> <RefAuthor>Munier FL</RefAuthor> <RefTitle>The classification of vitreous seeds in retinoblastoma and response to intravitreal melphalan</RefTitle> <RefYear>2015</RefYear> <RefJournal>Ophthalmology</RefJournal> <RefPage>1173-9</RefPage> <RefTotal>Francis JH, Abramson DH, Gaillard MC, Marr BP, Beck-Popovic M, Munier FL. The classification of vitreous seeds in retinoblastoma and response to intravitreal melphalan. Ophthalmology. 2015 Jun;122(6):1173-9. DOI: 10.1016&#47;j.ophtha.2015.01.017</RefTotal> <RefLink>https:&#47;&#47;doi.org&#47;10.1016&#47;j.ophtha.2015.01.017</RefLink> </Reference> <Reference refNo="4"> <RefAuthor>Munier FL</RefAuthor> <RefAuthor>Gaillard MC</RefAuthor> <RefAuthor>Balmer A</RefAuthor> <RefAuthor>Soliman S</RefAuthor> <RefAuthor>Podilsky G</RefAuthor> <RefAuthor>Moulin AP</RefAuthor> <RefAuthor>Beck-Popovic M</RefAuthor> <RefTitle>Intravitreal chemotherapy for vitreous disease in retinoblastoma revisited: from prohibition to conditional indications</RefTitle> <RefYear>2012</RefYear> <RefJournal>Br J Ophthalmol</RefJournal> <RefPage>1078-83</RefPage> <RefTotal>Munier FL, Gaillard MC, Balmer A, Soliman S, Podilsky G, Moulin AP, Beck-Popovic M. Intravitreal chemotherapy for vitreous disease in retinoblastoma revisited: from prohibition to conditional indications. Br J Ophthalmol. 2012 Aug;96(8):1078-83. DOI: 10.1136&#47;bjophthalmol-2011-301450</RefTotal> <RefLink>https:&#47;&#47;doi.org&#47;10.1136&#47;bjophthalmol-2011-301450</RefLink> </Reference> <Reference refNo="5"> <RefAuthor>Ghassemi F</RefAuthor> <RefAuthor>Shields CL</RefAuthor> <RefTitle>Intravitreal melphalan for refractory or recurrent vitreous seeding from retinoblastoma</RefTitle> <RefYear>2012</RefYear> <RefJournal>Arch Ophthalmol</RefJournal> <RefPage>1268-71</RefPage> <RefTotal>Ghassemi F, Shields CL. Intravitreal melphalan for refractory or recurrent vitreous seeding from retinoblastoma. Arch Ophthalmol. 2012 Oct;130(10):1268-71. DOI: 10.1001&#47;archophthalmol.2012.1983</RefTotal> <RefLink>https:&#47;&#47;doi.org&#47;10.1001&#47;archophthalmol.2012.1983</RefLink> </Reference> <Reference refNo="6"> <RefAuthor>Shields CL</RefAuthor> <RefAuthor>Manjandavida FP</RefAuthor> <RefAuthor>Arepalli S</RefAuthor> <RefAuthor>Kaliki S</RefAuthor> <RefAuthor>Lally SE</RefAuthor> <RefAuthor>Shields JA</RefAuthor> <RefTitle>Intravitreal melphalan for persistent or recurrent retinoblastoma vitreous seeds: preliminary results</RefTitle> <RefYear>2014</RefYear> <RefJournal>JAMA Ophthalmol</RefJournal> <RefPage>319-25</RefPage> <RefTotal>Shields CL, Manjandavida FP, Arepalli S, Kaliki S, Lally SE, Shields JA. Intravitreal melphalan for persistent or recurrent retinoblastoma vitreous seeds: preliminary results. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2014 Mar;132(3):319-25. DOI: 10.1001&#47;jamaophthalmol.2013.7666</RefTotal> <RefLink>https:&#47;&#47;doi.org&#47;10.1001&#47;jamaophthalmol.2013.7666</RefLink> </Reference> <Reference refNo="7"> <RefAuthor>Manjandavida FP</RefAuthor> <RefAuthor>Shields CL</RefAuthor> <RefTitle>The role of intravitreal chemotherapy for retinoblastoma</RefTitle> <RefYear>2015</RefYear> <RefJournal>Indian J Ophthalmol</RefJournal> <RefPage>141-5</RefPage> <RefTotal>Manjandavida FP, Shields CL. The role of intravitreal chemotherapy for retinoblastoma. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2015 Feb;63(2):141-5. DOI: 10.4103&#47;0301-4738.154390</RefTotal> <RefLink>https:&#47;&#47;doi.org&#47;10.4103&#47;0301-4738.154390</RefLink> </Reference> <Reference refNo="8"> <RefAuthor>Shields CL</RefAuthor> <RefAuthor>Douglass AM</RefAuthor> <RefAuthor>Beggache M</RefAuthor> <RefAuthor>Say EA</RefAuthor> <RefAuthor>Shields JA</RefAuthor> <RefTitle>Intravitreous chemotherapy for active vitreous seeding from retinoblastoma: Outcomes After 192 Consecutive Injections. The 2015 Howard Naquin Lecture</RefTitle> <RefYear>2016</RefYear> <RefJournal>Retina</RefJournal> <RefPage>1184-90</RefPage> <RefTotal>Shields CL, Douglass AM, Beggache M, Say EA, Shields JA. Intravitreous chemotherapy for active vitreous seeding from retinoblastoma: Outcomes After 192 Consecutive Injections. The 2015 Howard Naquin Lecture. Retina. 2016 Jun;36(6):1184-90. DOI: 10.1097&#47;IAE.0000000000000903</RefTotal> <RefLink>https:&#47;&#47;doi.org&#47;10.1097&#47;IAE.0000000000000903</RefLink> </Reference> <Reference refNo="9"> <RefAuthor>Shields CL</RefAuthor> <RefAuthor>Lally SE</RefAuthor> <RefAuthor>Leahey AM</RefAuthor> <RefAuthor>Jabbour PM</RefAuthor> <RefAuthor>Caywood EH</RefAuthor> <RefAuthor>Schwendeman R</RefAuthor> <RefAuthor>Shields JA</RefAuthor> <RefTitle>Targeted retinoblastoma management: when to use intravenous, intra-arterial, periocular, and intravitreal chemotherapy</RefTitle> <RefYear>2014</RefYear> <RefJournal>Curr Opin Ophthalmol</RefJournal> <RefPage>374-85</RefPage> <RefTotal>Shields CL, Lally SE, Leahey AM, Jabbour PM, Caywood EH, Schwendeman R, Shields JA. Targeted retinoblastoma management: when to use intravenous, intra-arterial, periocular, and intravitreal chemotherapy. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2014 Sep;25(5):374-85. DOI: 10.1097&#47;ICU.0000000000000091</RefTotal> <RefLink>https:&#47;&#47;doi.org&#47;10.1097&#47;ICU.0000000000000091</RefLink> </Reference> </References> <Media> <Tables> <NoOfTables>0</NoOfTables> </Tables> <Figures> <Figure format="png" height="416" width="522"> <MediaNo>1</MediaNo> <MediaID>1</MediaID> <Caption><Pgraph><Mark1>Figure 1: Fundus photo montage showing persistent sphere vitreous seeds overlying the tumor superotemporally and at the inferior periphery of the left eye</Mark1></Pgraph></Caption> </Figure> <Figure format="png" height="314" width="522"> <MediaNo>2</MediaNo> <MediaID>2</MediaID> <Caption><Pgraph><Mark1>Figure 2: Fundus photo montage showing clinically undetectable (regression type 0) vitreous seeds 6 months after 2 cycles of intravitreal melphalan injection</Mark1></Pgraph></Caption> </Figure> <NoOfPictures>2</NoOfPictures> </Figures> <InlineFigures> <NoOfPictures>0</NoOfPictures> </InlineFigures> <Attachments> <NoOfAttachments>0</NoOfAttachments> </Attachments> </Media> </OrigData> </GmsArticle>