Update on chemotherapy modalities for retinoblastoma: Progress and challenges

Area of Science:

• Pediatric oncology
• Ophthalmology
• Medical research

Background:

• Retinoblastoma treatment has evolved to prioritize eye and vision preservation.
• Chemotherapy is the cornerstone of retinoblastoma management.
• Diverse administration routes are being explored beyond traditional intravenous chemotherapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive review of chemotherapy in retinoblastoma treatment.
• To update on various administration routes, outcomes, and complications.
• To explore emerging treatments and future directions.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing studies on chemotherapy for retinoblastoma.
• Analysis of outcomes based on different chemotherapy administration routes (IVC, IAC, intravitreal, etc.).
• Evaluation of treatment success rates, complications, and patient salvage.

Main Results:

• High success rates (nearly 100%) for early-stage retinoblastoma (Groups A-C) with current therapies.
• Intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) demonstrates superior local control for advanced retinoblastoma (Groups D and E) compared to IVC.
• Intravitreal injections show potential for managing vitreous seeds, potentially avoiding enucleation and radiotherapy.

Conclusions:

• Chemotherapy remains central to retinoblastoma treatment, with tailored strategies based on disease stage and factors.
• Advanced administration routes like IAC and intravitreal injections offer improved outcomes for specific retinoblastoma classifications.
• Continued research into novel treatments and optimized chemotherapy strategies is crucial for enhancing patient outcomes.