Intra-arterial chemotherapy is more effective than sequential periocular and intravenous chemotherapy as salvage treatment for relapsed retinoblastoma

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2013 May;60(5):766-70. doi: 10.1002/pbc.24356. Epub 2012 Sep 28.

Abstract

Background: Treatment of eyes with retinoblastoma failing systemic chemoreduction and external beam radiotherapy is seldom efficacious. This study compares the efficacy and toxicity of intra-arterial ophthalmic artery chemotherapy (IAO) to our historical cohort of sequential periocular and systemic chemotherapy in such patients.

Patients and methods: Eighteen eyes (15 consecutive patients) were retrospectively evaluated. Eight eyes received IAO for a median of four cycles (range: 2-9) including melphalan alone (n = 3) or after topotecan and carboplatin (n = 4) or topotecan and carboplatin without melphalan (n = 1). Ten eyes received a median of two cycles (range: 1-3) of periocular topotecan (n = 9) or carboplatin (n = 1) followed by intravenous topotecan and cyclophosphamide in three patients if at least stable disease was achieved. Both groups were comparable for disease extension and prior therapy.

Results: No extraocular dissemination or second malignancy occurred and all patients are alive. The probability of enucleation-free eye survival at 12 months was 0.87 (95% CI: 0.42-0.97) for the IAO group, compared to 0.1 (95% CI: 0.06-0.35) for the periocular group (P < 0.01). Ocular toxicity was mild and similar in both groups (mostly mild orbital edema). Systemic toxicity was low for IAO and periocular injection, but children who received sequentially intravenous chemotherapy (n = 12 cycles) had five episodes of grade 4 neutropenia, three of which resulted in hospitalizations. No case in the IAO group presented these complications.

Conclusions: IAO is significantly superior to sequential periocular-intravenous topotecan-containing regimens in eyes with relapsed intraocular retinoblastoma with a more favorable toxicity profile.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Intravenous
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Etoposide / administration & dosage
  • Etoposide / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intra-Arterial
  • Injections, Intraocular
  • Male
  • Melphalan / administration & dosage
  • Melphalan / adverse effects
  • Melphalan / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / drug therapy*
  • Ophthalmic Artery
  • Retinal Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Retinal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Retinoblastoma / drug therapy*
  • Retinoblastoma / pathology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Salvage Therapy*
  • Topotecan / administration & dosage
  • Topotecan / adverse effects
  • Topotecan / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vincristine / administration & dosage
  • Vincristine / therapeutic use
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Vincristine
  • Etoposide
  • Topotecan
  • Melphalan