Severe ocular and orbital toxicity after intracarotid injection of carboplatin for recurrent glioblastomas

Corneal endothelial cell density in patients receiving chemotherapy

PURPOSE

This study aimed to determine if the corneal endothelium was affected by chemotherapy.

METHODS

Chemotherapy patients were recruited to undergo specular microscopy before treatment and again at 1- and 2-year follow-up visits. One eye per patient, per follow-up, was selected for comparison to baseline.

RESULTS

Forty-six volunteers completed baseline and at least one follow-up assessment. From 51 eyes, there was no significant change in endothelial cell density for 41 eyes assessed at one year (M_D = 0.73%, 95% CI -1.33 to 2.78%) and 18 eyes at two years (M_D = 0.31%, 95% CI -3.53 to 4.15%).

CONCLUSION

Although other studies have shown that chemotherapy can adversely affect the corneal epithelium, this study showed no measurable change in endothelial cell density.

Retinal toxicities of systemic anticancer drugs

Newer anticancer drugs have revolutionized cancer treatment in the last decade, but conventional chemotherapy still occupies a central position in many cancers, with combination therapy and newer methods of delivery increasing their efficacy while minimizing toxicities. We discuss the retinal toxicities of anticancer drugs with an emphasis on the mechanism of toxicity. Uveitis is seen with the use of v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B editing anticancer inhibitors as well as immunotherapy. Most of the cases are mild with only anterior uveitis, but severe cases of posterior uveitis, panuveitis, and Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada-like disease may also occur. In the retina, a transient neurosensory detachment is observed in almost all patients on mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitors. Microvasculopathy is often seen with interferon α, but vascular occlusion is a more serious toxicity caused by interferon α and MEK inhibitors. Crystalline retinopathy with or without macular edema may occur with tamoxifen; however, even asymptomatic patients may develop cavitatory spaces seen on optical coherence tomography. A unique macular edema with angiographic silence is characteristic of taxanes. Delayed dark adaptation has been observed with fenretinide. Interestingly, this drug is finding potential application in Stargardt disease and age-related macular degeneration.

Maculopathy Associated With Osmotic Blood- Brain Barrier Disruption and Chemotherapy in Patients With Primary CNS Lymphoma

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

To describe the incidence, characteristics, and risk factors of a pigmentary maculopathy in patients with primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma treated with blood-brain barrier disruption (BBBD) therapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This retrospective chart review included patients with biopsy-proven primary CNS lymphoma treated with or without BBBD therapy who underwent an ophthalmic examination after starting systemic treatment. Clinical data and all available retinal imaging were analyzed.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight patients met inclusion criteria. Twenty-one of 36 patients treated with BBBD therapy had a bilateral pigmentary maculopathy. None of the 22 patients treated with conventional chemotherapy had similar changes. Additional findings in patients treated with BBBD included geographic retinal pigment epithelium atrophy, subretinal fluid, and in one case, choroidal neovascularization. Some cases of maculopathy resulted in reduced visual acuity. The presence of a pigmentary maculopathy was associated with a higher number of BBBD treatment sessions (20.1 vs 13.3, P = .016), but not vitreoretinal lymphoma involvement or intravitreal methotrexate injections.

CONCLUSION

In this cohort, 58.3% of patients with primary CNS lymphoma treated with BBBD and chemotherapy were found to have a bilateral pigmentary maculopathy. This maculopathy can result in reduced visual acuity and is associated with the number of BBBD treatment sessions. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2020;51:S5-S12.].

Severe Periocular Edema after Intraarterial Carboplatin Chemotherapy for Retinoblastoma in a Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) Model

Endovascular microcatheter-based intraarterial (ophthalmic artery) chemotherapy is becoming widely used for the clinical treatment of intraocular retinoblastoma due to its apparent increased efficacy compared with traditional intravenous chemotherapy; however local ocular complications are not uncommon. Carboplatin is a chemotherapeutic agent used in both intravenous and intraarterial chemotherapy. We used rabbits to assess pharmacokinetics and ocular and systemic toxicity after intraarterial carboplatin infusion. Subsequent to unilateral intraarterial administration of carboplatin, severe unilateral or bilateral periocular edema occurred in 6 adult male New Zealand white rabbits. Time to onset varied from less than 4 h after administration (n = 3, 50 mg) to approximately 24 h afterward (n = 3, 25 mg). After becoming symptomatic, 5 of the 6 animals were promptly euthanized, and the remaining animal (25 mg treatment) was medically managed for 4 d before being euthanized due to intractable edema-related lagophthalmos. Globes and orbits from all 6 euthanized rabbits were harvested en bloc; whole-mount sections were prepared for histologic evaluation, which revealed drug-induced vasogenic edema in confined spaces as the main underlying pathogenesis. Transient and self-limiting periocular edema is a common side effect of intraarterial chemotherapy but is thought to occur predominantly with melphalan monotherapy or combination therapy using melphalan, carboplatin, and topotecan. The severity of this adverse consequence in rabbits was unexpected, and its use in the study was subsequently discontinued. Although the definitive cause for this vasotoxicity and striking clinical presentation is unknown, we suspect species-specific anatomic features and sensitivity might have contributed to amplified complications after intraarterial carboplatin chemotherapy of the eye. Due to the adverse effects of intraarterial carboplatin chemotherapy that we observed in 2 experimental cohorts of rabbits, we recommend caution regarding its use in this species.

A Rare Case of Mixed Adenoneuroendocrine Carcinoma (MANEC) of the Gastroesophageal Junction with HER2/neu Overexpression and Distinct Orbital and Optic Nerve Toxicity after Intravenous Administration of Cisplatin

BACKGROUND

Mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinomas (MANECs) are rare malignancies with both neuroendocrine and non-neuroendocrine components. To date, the prognosis of gastroenteropancreatic MANECs remains dismal, and treatment options are mainly based on guidelines for the treatment of pure neuroendocrine carcinomas or small cell lung cancer. Established first-line therapy in the metastatic situation is cisplatin and etoposide. Platinum derivatives are known to cause a variety of side effects also involving the visual system. Severe orbital and optic nerve toxicities have been described mainly after intracarotid infusion of cisplatin.

CASE REPORT

Herein we report a rare case of a 60-year-old male patient suffering from MANEC of the gastroesophageal junction with HER2/neu overexpression who developed severe orbital and ocular neurotoxicity (grade 3 according to CTCAE v4.03) after intravenous cisplatin.

CONCLUSION

We discuss diagnostic approaches and differential diagnoses in this clinical situation. Before starting treatment with intravenous and topical steroids, it is crucial to rule out meningeal and cerebral spread as well as paraneoplastic and endocrine syndromes.

Effects of Brain Tumors on Vision in Children

Central nervous tumors are the leading cause of death from cancer in the pediatric population. Advances in care for pediatric neuro-oncology patients have led to improved survival rates. As survivorship increases, care of the sequelae of the tumor and its treatment become more important for long-term quality of life. A significant portion of the brain is involved in vision. Pediatric brain tumors can distort, damage, and destroy portions of the brain involved in both the afferent and efferent vision pathways. This interruption of normal visual pathways can lead to permanent vision loss or other morbidities such as strabismus and nystagmus. This article reviews the presenting symptoms and signs of brain tumors in children and adolescents, as well as the effects of the tumor and its treatment on the afferent and efferent visual pathways. Strategies for monitoring during treatment, and management of sequelae are reviewed. Through systematic evaluation and monitoring of pediatric neuro-oncology patients, those at risk for vision loss or tumor progression can be identified.

Treatment Outcomes of Locally Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Ethmoid Sinus Treated with Anterior Craniofacial Resection or Chemoradiotherapy

We retrospectively analyzed 14 patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of ethmoid sinus (LASCC-ES) for the feasibility of anterior craniofacial resection (ACFR). Ethmoid cancer treatment comprised alternating chemoradiotherapy (ALCRT; n = 1), concomitant radiotherapy and intra-arterial cisplatin (RADPLAT; n = 4) and ACFR (n = 9). The 3- and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates of patients were 47.6 and 39.6%, respectively. The 3-year local control (LC) rates of chemoradiotherapy (CRT; ALCRT and RADPLAT) (n = 5) and ACFR (n = 9) groups were 0 and 66.7% (p = 0.012), respectively. The 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate of the CRT and ACFR groups were 0 and 55.6% (p = 0.018), respectively. The 3-year OS rate of the CRT and ACFR groups were 0 and 76.2% (p = 0.005), respectively. Postoperative pathological examinations confirmed positive margins in 3 (33%) of 9 cases. The 3-year LC and PFS rates of cases (n = 3) with positive surgical margins were significantly poorer than those of cases (n = 6) with negative surgical margins. Although ACFR for LASCC-ES is a feasible treatment, cases with positive surgical margins were more prone to local relapse. Therefore, surgical safety margins should be thoroughly assessed.

Bilateral blindness with secondary retinitis pigmentosa following postoperative docetaxel and platinum combination chemotherapy in primary small-cell carcinoma of the endometrium: An unusual case report and review of the literature

Ocular toxicity is an uncommon complication of cytotoxic chemotherapy. Bilateral blindness with secondary retinitis pigmentosa (RP) following docetaxel and platinum combination chemotherapy at the recommended dose is extremely rare. The present study reports a case of advanced small-cell carcinoma (SCC) of the endometrium in a patient with diabetes mellitus type 2. The patient suffered from RP with a sharp decline in vision after the fourth course of postoperative docetaxel and platinum combination chemotherapy. Unfortunately, the patient developed bilateral blindness after another course of chemotherapy at a reduced dose. No tumor recurrence was observed during the 33 months of follow-up. A total of 35 cases of docetaxel- and/or platinum-induced retinal toxicity were found in the English literature and reviewed. The ischemic and electrophysiological hypotheses may have been implicated in the pathogenesis of ocular toxicity in the present case, particularly with the history of diabetes. Understanding the ocular side effects of this combination chemotherapy may assist gynecological oncologists and ophthalmologists with early recognition and timely intervention before blindness is established.

Retinal toxicities of cancer therapy drugs: biologics, small molecule inhibitors, and chemotherapies

PURPOSE

To review reported retinal side effects from current cancer therapy drugs.

METHODS

Retinal toxicities from ophthalmologic or oncologic case reports, case series, and clinical trials were identified by a systematic literature search using Lexicomp and PubMed.

RESULTS

Four biologics, 8 small molecule inhibitors, and 17 traditional chemotherapy agents had reported retinal side effects. For biologics, interferon alpha 2b was associated with retinopathy, denileukin diftitiox with pigmentary retinopathy, ipilimumab with a Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada-like syndrome, and trastuzumab with retinal ischemia. For small molecule inhibitors, v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B (BRAF) inhibitors were associated with uveitis, mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase inhibitors with pigment epithelium detachments, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors with macular edema. Steroid antagonists were associated with crystalline retinopathy and macular edema. Nitrosoureas, platinum analogs, and cytosine arabinoside were associated with retinal vascular occlusions. Antimicrotubular agents were associated with cystoid macular edema but without fluorescein leakage. Retinoic acid derivatives were associated with impaired night vision, and mitotane was associated with a pigmentary retinopathy and papilledema.

CONCLUSION

Certain agents used in the treatment of systemic cancer are associated with ocular complications. Awareness of these complications will allow early detections and maybe reversal of some of the ocular problems.

Paclitaxel- and/or cisplatin-induced ocular neurotoxicity: a case report and literature review

Paclitaxel (PTX) and/or cisplatin (CDDP), as important cytotoxic anti-cancer agents, are widely used to treat various solid tumors. Both may cause moderate or severe neurotoxicity, but ocular neurotoxicity is also occasionally reported. A patient diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer suffering acute ocular neurotoxicity 10 days after paclitaxel and CDDP administration at the recommended dose is described in the present case report, and PTX- and/or CDDP-induced ocular neurotoxicity are summarized according to previous reports. Possible mechanisms and the potential diagnostic, therapeutic and predictive strategies of PTX- and/or CDDP-induced ocular neurotoxicity are reviewed, to help the oncologist to take the infrequent toxicity of cytotoxic drugs into account and improve patient safety during anti-cancer therapy.

Vascular distribution of glioblastoma multiforme at diagnosis

Treatment of high-grade gliomas with selective intra-arterial (IA) administration of chemotherapies has been proposed, and utilized as a therapeutic modality. This approach offers the conceptual benefit of providing maximal delivery of the agent to the tumor bed, while potentially reducing systemic exposure to the agent. This retrospective study was designed to determine the vascular distribution of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) at the time of diagnosis in an effort to determine what proportion of patients would likely be candidates for this approach. The preoperative MRI scans of 50 patients with GBM were analyzed and compared to published normative data of intracranial vascular distribution. Vascular distribution was determined by analyzing post-gadolinium axial and coronal T1 images, axial T2 images, and axial T2 images with an additional 1 cm margin (T2 + 1 cm) added in all dimensions. T1 analysis demonstrated 60% of tumors in a single vascular distribution. T2 analysis of these tumors reduced that number to 34%. When the T2 + 1 cm margin was utilized, only 6% of tumors were in a single vascular distribution. 66% of tumors were limited to the anterior circulation on T1 imaging but only 34% on T2 + 1 cm imaging. 30% of tumors were also within the distribution of the anterior choroidal artery. These findings suggest that the use of selective IA administration of agents is necessarily limited to a fraction of presenting patients or will require administration via multiple cerebral arteries.

Intraocular pressure change in orbital disease

Intraocular pressure change has been found concurrent with many orbital pathologies, particularly those involving proptosis. The objective of this review is to offer an inclusive classification of orbital disease-related intraocular pressure change, not only for oculoplastics and glaucoma specialists, but also for general ophthalmologists. Various orbital conditions associated with increased intraocular pressure and glaucoma are comprehensively summarized, and pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and treatment options of these diseases are discussed. Graves disease, arterio-venous shunts, trauma, and orbital neoplasia, and other common conditions are discussed in detail; less frequent syndromes such as orbitocraniofacial deformities, phakomatoses, and mucopolysaccharidoses are included for the sake of comprehensiveness, but discussed less extensively.

Maternal–fetal transport kinetics of carboplatin in the perfused human placental lobule:In vitrostudy

OBJECTIVE

Platinum-containing drugs are widely used in the treatment of various malignancies in humans. There is a paucity of data on maternal-fetal transport characteristics of one such widely used drug, carboplatin, and this prompted us to study its permeation characteristics in the human placenta in vitro.

METHODS

Placentae from uncomplicated, normal pregnancies were collected postpartum. Carboplatin, along with antipyrine as internal reference marker were injected as a single bolus (100 ul) into the maternal arterial circulation of isolated perfused placental lobules and perfusate samples collected from both maternal and fetal circulations over a period of 5 minutes. National Culture and Tissue Collection medium, diluted with Earle's buffered salt solution was used as the perfusate. Carboplatin concentration in various samples was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, while antipyrine concentration was assayed by spectrophotometry. Transport and pharmacokinetic data of study and reference substances were computed using appropriate parameters.

RESULTS

The differential transport rate of carboplatin for 10, 25, 50, 75, and 90% efflux fractions in fetal venous effluent averaged 0.60, 1.35, 2.52, 3.72, and 4.49 minutes in 12 perfusions, representing 1.16 +/- 0.10, 1.06 +/- 0.06, 1.00 +/- 0.02, 0.98 +/- 0.01, and 0.99 +/- 0.01, respectively, times the antipyrine reference value. Student's t-test did not show any significant difference (p > 0.05) between the control and study group data. The transport fraction (TF) of carboplatin, expressed as the fraction of the drug appearing in the fetal vein during a study period of 5 minutes, averaged 9.00 +/- 0.52% of bolus dose, while antipyrine TF averaged 68.60 +/- 2.01% of injected bolus dose, representing 13.1% of reference marker value. Student's t-test showed carboplatin and reference marker TF values to be significantly different (p < 0.05). Pharmacokinetic parameters such as area under the curve, clearance, time for maximum response, and absorption and elimination rates of study and reference substances showed varying differences.

CONCLUSIONS

We report for the first time that carboplatin transport from the maternal to the fetal circulation is relatively small in the human placenta at term. It is reasonable to assume that the risk for the neonate from carboplatin use in pregnancy is minimal when used in emergency clinical situations.

Carboplatin-Induced Bilateral Papilledema: A Case Report

We report on a patient with carboplatin-induced bilateral papilledema, as it was described in the 1970s for cisplatin. Loss of visual accuracy up to full blindness, often loss of color vision and scotomas can be seen as a result of cortical blindness, macula degeneration, retrobulbar neuritis and papilledema. These symptoms are mostly unilateral and initially mild, so that more chemotherapy is given before the diagnosis is made. The symptoms are usually reversible within weeks to months after cessation of the platinum treatment. The therapeutic strategy is stopping the platinum treatment. In addition the empiric use of corticosteroids is suggested.

Therapeutic time window and effect of intracarotid neural stem cells transplantation for intracerebral hemorrhage

This study investigated the therapeutic effect of neural stem cells transplanted via the carotid artery at different times after intracerebral hemorrhage. A great number of 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine-positive cells were observed surviving and distributed evenly in the perihematoma areas. Phenotypes of grafted cells depended upon time of transplantation, and the later the cells were transplanted, the larger the percentage of cells that differentiated into neurons. Animals treated at 7 and 14 days after injury exhibited the most significant improvements in behavioral tests. Therefore,intracarotid injection allows efficient delivery of cells to the injured hemisphere, especially during the period 7-14 days after injury, and may potentially be applicable in humans.

Maculopathy as a complication of blood-brain barrier disruption in patients with central nervous system lymphoma

PURPOSE

To report on the development of visually significant maculopathy associated with blood-brain barrier disruption (BBBD) therapy for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma.

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

METHODS

Chart review of 20 patients undergoing BBBD therapy for treatment of CNS lymphoma at the Cleveland Clinic. Patients with documented maculopathy were included in analysis.

RESULTS

Seven (54%) of 13 patients were identified with new macular retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) changes after BBBD treatment. The RPE changes consisted of fine clumps of hyperpigmentation in the foveal region associated with variable degrees of RPE loss. These changes were bilateral but often asymmetric. Two patients had decreased visual acuity resulting from maculopathy. One patient had documented progression of maculopathy after completion of treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Maculopathy is a frequent finding after BBBD therapy for CNS lymphoma.

Ischemic necrosis and atrophy of the optic nerve after periocular carboplatin injection for intraocular retinoblastoma

PURPOSE

To report four cases of optic nerve neuropathy in three children treated with periocular carboplatin injections for unilateral or bilateral intraocular retinoblastoma.

DESIGN

Retrospective, observational case series.

METHODS

SETTING

University-based Ophthalmology Practice.

STUDY POPULATION

Four eyes of three children with retinoblastoma enucleated after nonsuccessful multimodality treatment including periocular carboplatin injections.

OBSERVATION PROCEDURES

The enucleated eyes were routinely processed and evaluated by light microscopy. A retrospective chart review of all four cases was performed.

RESULTS

Three enucleated eyes (Reese-Ellsworth groups III and VB) were obtained from two children with bilateral multifocal retinoblastoma, and one eye (Reese-Ellsworth group IIB) was harvested from a child with unilateral retinoblastoma. All affected eyes underwent three to seven periocular carboplatin injections before enucleation. Additional treatment modalities included systemic chemotherapy, transpupillary thermotherapy, transscleral cryotherapy, and external beam radiotherapy. Histopathologic evaluation of the enucleated eyes revealed focal areas of ischemic necrosis or atrophy of the optic nerve along with dystrophic calcification and mild inflammation in the surrounding fibrovascular adipose tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

Periocular injections of carboplatin may be a useful treatment approach in the management of patients with advanced intraocular retinoblastoma and may minimize systemic side-effects. However, ophthalmologists and pediatric oncologists should be aware of potential marked local complications with periocular carboplatin delivery, including ischemic optic neuropathy. Modifying the injection site/location (for example, subtenon space) or adding other delivery routes adjuncts (for example, fibrin sealant) deserves further study.

Update on ocular complications of systemic cancer chemotherapy

The constantly growing list of cytotoxic chemotherapeutics requires a new survey of ophthalmic complications, which are often underestimated. Based on the review by Imperia et al (1989), an update on ophthalmic complications of currently used cytotoxic chemotherapeutics in oncology was written. Vision is a quality of life issue, which must be nurtured, especially if loss of vision can be prevented. The broad spectrum of ophthalmic complications induced by cytotoxic chemotherapy includes reversible and irreversible acute and chronic disorders. Mild to moderate ophthalmic complications are very common and reversible after cessation of anti-cancer therapy. Some major ocular toxicities may require a dose reduction or the discontinuation of cytotoxic chemotherapy in order to prevent visual loss. Ocular toxicities can be treated or even prevented, if detected early enough. That is why an ophthalmic baseline examination for patients receiving cytosine arabinoside, 5-fluorourocil, methotrexate, or docetaxel should be taken into consideration, and a consultation with an ophthalmologist has to be done as soon as symptoms are recognized. Oncologists and ophthalmologists must be aware of potential ophthalmic complications during cytotoxic chemotherapy, and should work together.