Lurbinectedin improves macular edema in a case of central retinal vein occlusion

To evaluate the response to lurbinectedin in a case of macular edema, secondary to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). Serial spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) scans were taken in a 70-year-old man with a 24-month history of macular edema secondary to CRVO in the right eye. The patient underwent 5 cycles of chemotherapy with lurbinectedin between October 2018 and May 2019. Central macular thickness (CMT) before and after each chemotherapy cycle was measured together with progression analysis using the CIRRUS Zeiss software.

SD-OCT showed alternating recurrence and resolution of macular edema closely related to the chemotherapy administrations. CMT oscillated between 496 and 284 μm during the follow-up. The macular edema was showed to decrease as soon as 4 days following chemotherapy.

Resolution of macular edema associated with CRVO was seen in our patient whilst undergoing chemotherapy with lurbinectedin. Lurbinectedin may play a role in the treatment of macular edema secondary to CRVO and may open new therapeutic indication for this natural marine molecule.