Intravitreal melphalan therapy for vitreous seeds in retinoblastoma: Implementation and outcomes of a new chemotherapy protocol

Abstract

Retinoblastoma is the most common paediatric ocular tumour, which appears in the retina. Without treatment, retinoblastoma grows and destroys the internal ocular globe architecture, even leading to metastasis. When treated, overall survival is close to 97%, the alkylating drug melphalan being the most extensively used chemotherapeutic agent in localised treatment. The aim of this study is to describe the implementation of a new intravitreal chemotherapy retinoblastoma treatment protocol for children implanting vitreous seeds through intravitreal melphalan injections and to evaluate the patients’ health outcomes treated with it. Between December 2014 and July 2018, seven patients were treated with this protocol. They received a mean of 3.3 cycles of intravitreal melphalan with standard doses of 30 mcg per cycle. In the seven eyes treated in our hospital, the response was as expected; three eyes with vitreous seedings (43%) were successfully treated. The main adverse effects presented by all patients were scars at cryogenisation points. In two patients, the appearance of ‘salt and pepper’ retinopathy was reported. Oncology pharmacists, as part of the treatment team, can provide information about recommended doses, expected adverse effects, stability of preparations, most appropriate method of processing, packaging, and methods of drug administration, to ensure efficacy and especially safety in the administration of these drugs.