Conjunctival Melanoma: Current Treatments and Future Options

Lactate secreted by glycolytic conjunctival melanoma cells attracts and polarizes macrophages to drive angiogenesis in zebrafish xenografts

Conjunctival melanoma (CoM) is a rare but potentially lethal cancer of the eye, with limited therapeutic option for metastases. A better understanding how primary CoM disseminate to form metastases is urgently needed in order to develop novel therapies. Previous studies indicated that primary CoM tumors express Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and may recruit pro-tumorigenic M2-like macrophages. However, due to a lack of proper models, the expected role of angiogenesis in the metastatic dissemination of CoM is still unknown. We show that cells derived from two CoM cell lines induce a strong angiogenic response when xenografted in zebrafish larvae. CoM cells are highly glycolytic and secrete lactate, which recruits and polarizes human and zebrafish macrophages towards a M2-like phenotype. These macrophages elevate the levels of proangiogenic factors such as VEGF, TGF-β, and IL-10 in the tumor microenvironment to induce an angiogenic response towards the engrafted CoM cells in vivo. Chemical ablation of zebrafish macrophages or inhibition of glycolysis in CoM cells terminates this response, suggesting that attraction of lactate-dependent macrophages into engrafted CoM cells drives angiogenesis and serves as a possible dissemination mechanism for glycolytic CoM cells.

Personalized treatment concepts in extraocular cancer

Background

The periocular skin is neoplasms-prone to various benign and malignant. Periocular malignancies are more aggressive and challenging to cure and repair than those in other skin areas. In recent decades, immunotherapy has significantly advanced oncology, allowing the autoimmune system to target and destroy malignant cells. Skin malignancies, especially periocular tumors, are particularly sensitive to immunotherapy. This technique has dramatically impacted the successful treatment of challenging tumors.

Main text

Extraocular cancers, including eyelid (basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, merkel cell carcinoma), conjunctival tumors (conjunctival melanoma, ocular surface squamous neoplasia) and other rare tumors, are unique and challenging clinical situations. Several genetic alterations associated with the pathogenesis of these diseases have been identified, and molecular mechanism are essential for the development of the immunotherapy agents, such as Hedgehog pathway inhibitors (vismodegib and sonidegib) for basal cell carcinoma, BRAF/MEK inhibitors (vemurafenib, dabrafenib, and encorafenib) for melanoma, and immune checkpoint inhibitors (Avelumab, pembrolizumab) for Merkel cell carcinoma.

Conclusions

The optimal treatment for periocular skin cancer depends on the type and size of the tumor and whether it involves orbital and adnexal structures. Adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapy with chemotherapy-targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors should be considered based on tumor type, tumor molecular profile, expected response rate, and candidacy for systemic treatment.

A UV-related risk analysis in ophthalmic malignancies: Increased UV exposure may cause ocular malignancies

Purpose

To explore the role of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) in the occurrence and development of various ocular malignancies.

Methods

In this article, we retrieved ocular malignancy data from the Global Cancer Observatory (GCO) and performed correlation analysis with the global UV index and sunshine duration. We searched for associated studies using the following databases: Embase, Pubmed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. We conducted the literature by searching the Mesh terms denoting an exposure of interest ("UV radiation", "ultraviolet rays", and "ocular malignancies", All studies included are published until December 30, 2023 without language restrictions.

Results

The mechanisms and epidemiological statistics of UVR on the onset and progression of eyelid malignancies are the most studied and clear. The role of UVR in conjunctival melanoma is similar to that in eyelid melanoma. The relationship between uveal melanoma and UVR is controversial, however, it may have at least a certain impact on its prognosis. UVR causes ocular surface squamous neoplasia by further activating HPV infection.

Conclusions

UVR is a decisive risk factor for ocular malignancies, but the incidence of ultraviolet-induced tumors is also affected by many other factors. A correct and comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of UVR in the pathogenesis of ocular malignant tumors can provide patients with more effective and selective immune regulation strategies.

Combined Osteopontin Blockade and Type 2 Classical Dendritic Cell Vaccination as Effective Synergetic Therapy for Conjunctival Melanoma

Angiogenesis and immune protection are essential at the onset of tumorigenesis. Angiogenesis serves to nourish the tumor, and prevention of immune defenses, for example, by dendritic cells (DCs), allows tumor growth. In this study, we investigated whether there are factors with dual functions that are both angiogenic and immunomodulatory and represent a therapeutic target. We analyzed 1) innate immune responses intratumorally and in draining lymph nodes and 2) angiogenic factors in conjunctival melanoma (CM), a potentially lethal malignant tumor at the ocular surface whose immune and vascular responses are largely unknown. For this purpose, an HGF-Cdk4R24C model in immunocompetent C57BL/6 mice was used and revealed that CD103- type 2 classical DC (cDC2s) were the most abundant DC subtype in healthy conjunctiva, whereas in CM, CD103- cDC2s, CD103+ type 1 cDCs, monocyte-derived DCs, and plasmacytoid DCs were significantly increased. In our analysis of angiogenic factors in CM, the examination of 53 angiogenesis-related factors that might interact with DCs identified osteopontin (OPN) as a major tumor-derived protein that interacts with DCs. Consistent with these findings, 3) a dual therapeutic strategy that inhibited tumor cell function by an OPN blocking Ab while enhancing the immune response by cDC2 vaccination resulted in 35% failure of tumor development. Moreover, tumor progression, monocyte-derived DC infiltration, and intratumoral angiogenesis were significantly reduced, whereas survival and CD8+ T cell infiltration were increased in treated mice compared with the control group. Therefore, we identified OPN blockade in combination with cDC2 vaccination as a potential future therapeutic intervention for early stages of CM by combining antiangiogenic and host immune stimulating effects.

From diagnosis to therapy: The transformative role of lncRNAs in eye cancer management

The genomic era has brought about a transformative shift in our comprehension of cancer, unveiling the intricate molecular landscape underlying disease development. Eye cancers (ECs), encompassing diverse malignancies affecting ocular tissues, pose distinctive challenges in diagnosis and management. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), an emerging category of non-coding RNAs, are pivotal actors in the genomic intricacies of eye cancers. LncRNAs have garnered recognition for their multifaceted roles in gene expression regulation and influence on many cellular processes. Many studies support that the lncRNAs have a role in developing various cancers. Recent investigations have pinpointed specific lncRNAs associated with ECs, including retinoblastoma and uveal melanoma. These lncRNAs exert control over critical pathways governing tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis, endowing them with the ability to function as evaluation, predictive, and therapeutic indicators. The article aims to synthesize the existing information concerning the functions of lncRNAs in ECs, elucidating their regulatory mechanisms and clinical significance. By delving into the lncRNAs' expanding relevance in the modulation of oncogenic and tumor-suppressive networks, we gain a deeper understanding of the molecular complexities intrinsic to these diseases. In our exploration of the genomic intricacies of ECs, lncRNAs introduce a fresh perspective, providing an opportunity to function as clinical and therapeutic indicators, and they also have therapeutic benefits that show promise for advancing the treatment of ECs. This comprehensive review bridges the intricate relationship between lncRNAs and ECs within the context of the genomic era.

Conjunctival melanoma: Insights into classification, outcomes, and biomarkers

Conjunctival melanoma is quite rare, estimated at approximately 0.5 incidence per 1 million persons per year. This malignancy arises from a pre-existing nevus (7%), primary acquired melanosis (74%), or de novo without pre-existing condition (19%) and develops most often in patients with Fitzpatrick skin types I (23%) and II (62%). At initial presentation, the tumor size is approximately 13 mm in cross-sectional diameter and has 3-mm thickness, involving the bulbar (97%), forniceal (30%), tarsal (28%), or caruncular (11%) regions, often with corneal (54%) and rarely with orbital (4%) involvement. According to the eighth edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC), the tumor is classified as T1 (63%), T2 (18%), T3 (20%), and T4 (0%). Outcomes depend on several factors including patient age, AJCC classification, orbital invasion, and type of initial surgery, whereas tumor origin and Fitzpatrick skin type do not appear to impact outcomes. Older patients (≥70 years of age) demonstrate larger tumors, greater recurrence, and greater vision loss. Analysis of 425 patients by AJCC classification (T1 versus T2 versus T3) revealed increasing T category with greater lymph node metastasis (3% versus 13% versus 25%; P < .001), tumor-related systemic metastasis (13% versus 45% versus 40%; P < .001), and tumor-related death (8% versus 22% versus 37%; P < .001). Data of patients with orbital invasion revealed significantly greater 10-year rates of exenteration (P < .001), distant metastasis (P = .0005), and death (P = .001). Studies have demonstrated biomarkers related to conjunctival melanoma include mutations in BRAF, NRAS, ATRX, and NF1. Future therapies might be directed against these mutations or with small-molecule inhibitors and/or immunotherapy. In summary, conjunctival melanoma is a rare but ominous malignancy, imparting moderate risk for lymph node and systemic metastasis as well as death, depending on tumor features and classification. The first surgery is highly important in prevention of tumor seeding, recurrence, and metastasis.

Genetic Aspects of Conjunctival Melanoma: A Review

Conjunctival melanoma (CM) is a rare but aggressive cancer. Over the past decade, molecular studies using rapidly advancing technologies have increasingly improved our understanding of CM genetics. CMs are mainly characterized by dysregulated MAPK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways, driven by commonly mutated (BRAF, NRAS, NF1) or less commonly mutated (KIT, PTEN) genes. Another group of genes frequently mutated in CMs include TERT and ATRX, with known roles in telomere maintenance and chromatin remodeling/epigenetic regulation. Uveal melanoma-related genes (BAP1, SF3B1, GNAQ/11) can also be mutated in CMs, albeit infrequently. Additional CM-related mutated genes have increasingly been identified using more comprehensive genetic analyses, awaiting further confirmation in additional/larger studies. As a tumor arising in a partly sun-exposed mucosal tissue, CM exhibits a distinct genomic profile, including the frequent presence of an ultraviolet (UV) signature (and high mutational load) and also the common occurrence of large structural variations (distributed across the genome) in addition to specific gene mutations. The knowledge gained from CM genetic studies to date has led to new therapeutic avenues, including the use of targeted and/or immuno-therapies with promising outcomes in several cases. Accordingly, the implementation of tumor genetic testing into the routine clinical care of CM patients holds promise to further improve and personalize their treatments. Likewise, a growing knowledge of poor prognosis-associated genetic changes in CMs (NRAS, TERT, and uveal melanoma signature mutations and chromosome 10q deletions) may ultimately guide future strategies for prognostic testing to further improve clinical outcomes (by tailoring surveillance and considering prophylactic treatments in patients with high-risk primary tumors).

Clinical features and prognosis of patients with metastatic ocular and orbital melanoma: A bi-institutional study

PURPOSE

Metastatic ocular and orbital melanomas are extremely rare. The clinical characteristics and standard treatments for these patients are not fully established.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed patients with metastatic ocular and orbital melanoma from Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center and Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University between January 2012 and May 2022.

RESULTS

Overall, 51 patients with metastatic ocular and orbital melanoma were included. The most common primary sites were uvea (73%), followed by conjunctiva (22%), lacrimal sac (4%), and orbit (2%). Patients with uveal melanoma (UM) had a significantly younger age (48 vs. 68 years, p < 0.001), higher incidence of liver metastases (89% vs. 9%, p<0.001), a lower incidence of lymph nodes metastases (16% vs. 46%, p = 0.043) and a lower incidence of BRAF mutation (0% vs. 55%, p<0.001) compared with patients with conjunctival melanoma (CM). The overall response rate of the first-line treatment was 18%. Three of the four patients with BRAF-mutated CM responded to dabrafenib and trametinib treatment. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of first-line treatment were 5.1 and 11.9 months, respectively. Among patients with liver metastases, liver-directed treatment was correlated with better patient PFS (p < 0.001) and OS (p < 0.001) after adjusting for number of metastatic sites and primary sites.

CONCLUSION

CM and UM have different characteristics. Patient with CM had a high incidence of BRAF mutation, and the treatment of BRAF and MEK inhibitors conferred clinical benefit. Liver directed therapies had a potential benefit in disease control in patients with liver metastases.

Risk factors and prognosis of orbital exenteration in conjunctival melanoma

OBJECTIVES

To identify the risk factors of orbital exenteration and to evaluate the prognosis of exenterated patients with conjunctival melanoma (CM).

METHODS

79 consecutive CM patients treated at our centre from January 2000 to September 2021 were included. The demographic, clinical and pathological characteristics were compared between eye-sparing patients and orbital exenteration patients. Main outcomes including progression-free survival (PFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DFS) and disease specific survival (DSS) were assessed in exenterated patients.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up period was 46 ± 39 months. Risk factors for orbital exenteration were identified as worse cT category (OR, 50.75; 95% CI, 5.40-477.07; P = 0.001) and greater tumour thickness (OR, 1.27; CI, 1.04-1.55; P = 0.02). Of the 32 patients who underwent orbital exenteration, three (9.4%) had local recurrence; six (18.8%) experienced regional metastasis; sixteen (50.0%) suffered distant metastasis and fifteen (46.9%) died of metastatic disease. In patients who received orbital exenteration, palpebral conjunctiva involvement (PFS: P < 0.01; DFS: P < 0.05; DSS: P = 0.04), histological ulceration (PFS: P = 0.03; DFS: P = 0.01; DSS: P = 0.03) and regression (PFS: P = 0.01; DFS: P < 0.01; DSS: P = 0.04) were identified as risk factors for poor prognosis. Caruncle involvement (P = 0.01) was also associated with increased risk of melanoma related mortality in exenterated patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Histopathological factors should be taken into account when formulating surgical plans for orbital exenteration and when evaluating patients' prognosis following exenteration. For CM patients with caruncle or palpebral conjunctiva involvement, orbital exenteration should be considered for unresectable disease.

Case report: Drug-induced vitiligo during treatment with BRAF/MEK inhibitors in a patient with metastatic conjunctival melanoma

INTRODUCTION

Autoimmune side effects can be detected during the use of BRAF/MEK inhibitor. Although its frequency, mechanism and importance are not known exactly, there are cases reported in the literature.

CASE REPORT

We report a case of drug-induced vitiligo in a patient with metastatic conjunctival malignant melanoma who was treated with BRAF/MEK inhibition therapy.

MANAGEMENT AND OUTCOME

In the case, vitiligo was controlled with topical treatments. Follow-up process of the patient has been continuing with no progression on month 12 of the current treatment.

DISCUSSION

Although ICI-related autoimmune side effects and vitiligo have been described more frequently, vitiligo may also occur secondary to BRAK/MEK inhibition. This case also points out that cutaneous toxicity is manageable with no delay in treatment thanks to collaboration of dermatologists and oncologists.

Drug repurposing of propafenone to discover novel anti-tumor agents by impairing homologous recombination to delay DNA damage recovery of rare disease conjunctival melanoma

Conjunctival melanoma (CM), a rare and fatal malignant ocular tumor, lacks proper diagnostic biomarkers and therapy. Herein, we revealed the novel application of propafenone, an FDA-approved antiarrhythmic medication, which was identified effective in inhibiting CM cells viability and homologous recombination pathway. Detailed structure-activity relationships generated D34 as one of the most promising derivatives, which strongly suppressed the proliferation, viability, and migration of CM cells at submicromolar concentrations. Mechanically, D34 had the potential to increase γ-H2AX nuclear foci and aggravated DNA damage by suppressing homologous recombination pathway and its factors, particularly the complex of MRE11-RAD50-NBS1. D34 bound to human recombinant MRE11 protein and inhibited its endonuclease activity. Moreover, D34 dihydrochloride significantly suppressed tumor growth in the CRMM1 NCG xenograft model without obvious toxicity. Our finding shows that propafenone derivatives modulating the MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 complex will most likely provide an approach for CM targeted therapy, especially for improving chemo- and radio-sensitivity for CM patients.

Guttiferone E Displays Antineoplastic Activity Against Melanoma Cells

Guttiferone E (GE) is a benzophenone found in Brazilian red propolis. In the present study, the effect of GE on human (A-375) and murine (B16-F10) melanoma cells was investigated. GE significantly reduced the cellular viability of melanoma cells in a time-dependent manner. In addition, GE demonstrated antiproliferative effect, with IC₅₀ values equivalent to 9.0 and 6.6 µM for A-375 and B16-F10 cells, respectively. The treatment of A-375 cells with GE significantly increased cell populations in G0/G1 phase and decreased those in G2/M phase. Conversely, on B16-F10 cells, GE led to a significant decrease in the populations of cells in G0/G1 phase and concomitantly an increase in the population of cells in phase S. A significantly higher percentage of apoptotic cells was observed in A-375 (43.5%) and B16-F10 (49.9%) cultures after treatment with GE. Treatments with GE caused morphological changes and significant decrease to the melanoma cells' density. GE (10 µM) inhibited the migration of melanoma cells, with a higher rate of inhibition in B16-F10 cells (73.4%) observed. In addition, GE significantly reduced the adhesion of A375 cells, but showed no effect on B16-F10. Treatment with GE did not induce changes in P53 levels in A375 cultures. Molecular docking calculations showed that GE is stable in the active sites of the tubulin dimer with a similar energy to taxol chemotherapy. Taken together, the data suggest that GE has promising antineoplastic potential against melanoma.

Tarsoconjunctival flap for scleromalacia related to treatments for conjunctival melanoma

Purpose

To describe the use of a tarsoconjunctival pedicle flap for the repair of scleral melt secondary to treatment of conjunctival melanoma.

Observation

A 67-year-old woman developed progressive scleromalacia after multiple treatments for an American Joint Committee on Cancer cT2d category conjunctival melanoma. Prior to referral, she underwent synchronous topical chemotherapy (interferon, 5-fluorouracil, mitomycin). Then, incomplete tumor regression led to excision with adjuvant cryotherapy. Lastly, systemic metastasis treated with systemic immunotherapy provided durable remission. However, her multiple treatments (e.g., topical chemotherapy, resection, cryotherapy) were associated with progressive nasal bulbar scleromalacia treated by conjunctival advancement and amniotic membrane grafts. Sclera reinforcement was achieved after a tarsoconjunctival flap was affixed to the eye to cover, and thus vascularize the scleral defect. The tarsoconjunctival flap provided 5 years of tectonic support.

Conclusions and Importance

Tarsoconjunctival pedicle flaps can provide scleral integrity for a patient with progressive scleral melting.

The future of targeted kinase inhibitors in melanoma

Melanoma is a cancer of the pigment-producing cells of the body and its incidence is rising. Targeted inhibitors that act against kinases in the MAPK pathway are approved for BRAF-mutant metastatic cutaneous melanoma and increase patients' survival. Response to these therapies is limited by drug resistance and is less durable than with immune checkpoint inhibition. Conversely, rare melanoma subtypes have few therapeutic options for advanced disease and MAPK pathway targeting agents show minimal anti-tumor effects. Nevertheless, there is a future for targeted kinase inhibitors in melanoma: in new applications such as adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy and in novel combinations with immunotherapies or other targeted therapies. Pre-clinical studies continue to identify tumor dependencies and their corresponding actionable drug targets, paving the way for rational targeted kinase inhibitor combinations as a personalized medicine approach for melanoma.

Cucurbitacin B-induced G2/M cell cycle arrest of conjunctival melanoma cells mediated by GRP78–FOXM1–KIF20A pathway

Conjunctival melanoma (CM) is a rare and fatal malignant eye tumor. In this study, we deciphered a novel anti-CM mechanism of a natural tetracyclic compound named as cucurbitacin B (CuB). We found that CuB remarkably inhibited the proliferation of CM cells including CM-AS16, CRMM1, CRMM2 and CM2005.1, without toxicity to normal cells. CuB can also induce CM cells G2/M cell cycle arrest. RNA-seq screening identified KIF20A, a key downstream effector of FOXM1 pathway, was abolished by CuB treatment. Further target identification by activity-based protein profiling chemoproteomic approach revealed that GRP78 is a potential target of CuB. Several lines of evidence demonstrated that CuB interacted with GRP78 and bound with a K_d value of 0.11 μmol/L. Furthermore, ATPase activity evaluation showed that CuB suppressed GRP78 both in human recombinant GRP78 protein and cellular lysates. Knockdown of the GRP78 gene significantly induced the downregulation of FOXM1 and related pathway proteins including KIF20A, underlying an interesting therapeutic perspective. Finally, CuB significantly inhibited tumor progression in NCG mice without causing obvious side effects in vivo. Taken together, our current work proved that GRP78–FOXM1–KIF20A as a promising pathway for CM therapy, and the traditional medicine CuB as a candidate drug to hinder this pathway.

Second Primary Malignancies following a Diagnosis of Conjunctival Melanoma

BACKGROUND

Although incidence of second primary malignancies (SPMs) has been investigated in patients with cutaneous melanoma and uveal melanoma, limited studies have investigated their occurrence subsequent to conjunctival melanoma (CM). We conducted a retrospective observational study to assess incidence of SPMs in patients with primary CM and to identify associated risk factors.

METHODS

Cases of first primary CM diagnosed from 2000 to 2018 were extracted from the national cancer database Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. Standardized incidence ratios (SIR) and excess absolute risk (EAR) of SPMs were calculated compared to a matched cohort from the general population with similar sex, race, age group, and calendar year. EAR was per 10,000 individuals, and a P-value of <0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

A total of 471 patients met inclusion criteria, 57 (12.1%) of whom developed second primary malignancies (excluding eye and orbit melanomas) over an average (±SD) follow-up period of 6.8 (±5.0) years. Average age at diagnosis for the overall cohort was 60.2 (±18.6) years. Patients with CM demonstrated a significantly increased risk for overall SPMs relative to the general population, even after excluding eye and orbit melanomas (SIR 1.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15-1.97; EAR 67.58). Specific sites and malignancy types with increased risk were cutaneous melanoma (SIR 7.95; 95% CI, 4.45-13.12; EAR 45.34), ophthalmic non-melanoma malignancies (SIR 80.92; 95% CI, 2.05-450.84; EAR 3.41), and non-intrahepatic biliary malignancies (SIR 11.72; 95% CI, 1.42-42.32; EAR 6.32). Risk of overall SPMs (excluding eye and orbit melanomas) was significantly increased 5-10 years from diagnosis date.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with CM had an increased incidence of SPMs compared to the general population. Specifically, these patients developed more cutaneous, ophthalmic non-melanoma, and non-intrahepatic biliary malignancies. These second neoplasms could be due to shared pathophysiology or mutual risk factors. Patients with CM may benefit from surveillance for SPMs, such as annual age-appropriate screenings in the first 10 years after diagnosis.

Use of interferon alpha 2b to manage conjunctival primary acquired melanosis and conjunctival melanoma

Primary acquired melanosis (PAM) is acquired conjunctival pigmentation that can give rise to conjunctival melanoma (CM), a malignant tumor of the bulbar and palpebral conjunctiva or the caruncle. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice for this neoplasm. Topical chemotherapy is also used for patients with PAM with atypia or CM, hand in patients with recurrent or extensive disease, this may be an important option. Of the several chemotherapeutic drugs used, topical interferon alpha 2b (IFN-α2b) has become popular because of its low toxicity. Clinical evidence from case reports and case series supports the efficacy of IFN-α2b as the preferred adjuvant treatment for PAM and CM. In addition, topical IFN-α2b has been successfully applied to melanocytic tumors refractory to other treatments, such as cryotherapy and topical mitomycin C. In patients with locally advanced CM, the combination of IFN-α2b and systemic immunotherapy may serve as an alternative to exenteration. Given the low frequency of CM, long-term multicenter studies are needed to demonstrate the efficacy of IFN-α2b for preventing local recurrence and distant metastasis.

Modified procedure of anterior orbital exenteration enables eye socket reconstruction: A retrospective cohort study

The conventional procedure of anterior orbital exenteration is unfavorable for eye socket reconstruction, whereas a modified procedure enables socket reconstruction and prosthesis fitting. Our study aims to compare the cosmetic outcomes between these 2 surgical techniques.We retrospectively recruited patients treated with modified or conventional exenteration during January 2015 to May 2021 in our hospital. The conventional approach was performed along with dermis-fat graft transplantation. The modified approach was conducted followed by eye socket reconstruction and eyelid blepharoplasty. The clinical data were collected and analyzed, including demographics, tumor characteristics, postoperative complications, tumor-related events, and cosmetic outcomes.Forty-nine patients were consecutively recruited in this study, including 22 cases of modified exenteration and 27 cases of conventional exenteration. Forty-four subjects (89.8%) were diagnosed with ocular surface malignancies (conjunctival melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma) and 5 subjects (10.2%) were diagnosed with extraocular stage of uveal melanoma. After follow-up for 31.8 ± 17.1 months, the 1-, 2-, 5-year overall survival rate was calculated as 100%, 79.2%, and 59.2% in the Modified group, and 94.2%, 73.8%, and 51.5% in the Conventional group. Comparison of the survival curves showed no significant differences. In the Modified group, all patients received orbital implant placement and eye socket reconstruction. The implant motility was satisfactory in 12 cases (54.5%) with movements in 3 to 4 directions. The eyelid function was acceptable in 17 cases (77.3%) with no entropion, ectropion or lower lid laxity. Ocular prosthesis was delivered in 17 cases (77.3%) with successful fitting in 11 cases (64.7%). The self-rated cosmetic score was statistically (t test, P < .0001) higher in the Modified group (6.7 ± 0.9) than the Conventional group (2.2 ± 0.4).The modified approach to anterior orbital exenteration enables eye socket reconstruction and cosmetic rehabilitation while still preserves the curable chance for the treatment of advanced periocular/intraocular malignancies.

New Therapeutic Approaches for Conjunctival Melanoma-What We Know So Far and Where Therapy Is Potentially Heading: Focus on Lymphatic Vessels and Dendritic Cells

Conjunctival melanoma (CM) accounts for 5% of all ocular melanomas and arises from malignantly transformed melanocytes in the conjunctival epithelium. Current therapies using surgical excision in combination with chemo- or cryotherapy still have high rates for recurrences and metastatic disease. Lately, novel signal transduction-targeted and immune checkpoint inhibitors like cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) inhibitors, programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) receptor inhibitors, BRAF- or MEK-inhibitors for systemic treatment of melanoma have improved the outcome even for unresectable cutaneous melanoma, improving patient survival dramatically. The use of these therapies is now also recommended for CM; however, the immunological background of CM is barely known, underlining the need for research to better understand the immunological basics when treating CM patients with immunomodulatory therapies. Immune checkpoint inhibitors activate tumor defense by interrupting inhibitory interactions between tumor cells and T lymphocytes at the so-called checkpoints. The tumor cells exploit these inhibitory targets on T-cells that are usually used by dendritic cells (DCs). DCs are antigen-presenting cells at the forefront of immune response induction. They contribute to immune tolerance and immune defense but in the case of tumor development, immune tolerance is often prevalent. Enhancing the immune response via DCs, interfering with the lymphatic pathways during immune cell migration and tumor development and specifically targeting tumor cells is a major therapeutic opportunity for many tumor entities including CM. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the function of lymphatic vessels in tumor growth and immune cell transport and continues to compare DC subsets in CM with related melanomas, such as cutaneous melanoma and mucosal melanoma.

The potential role of miR-1290 in cancer progression, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment: An oncomiR or onco-suppressor microRNA?

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in humans because of the lack of early diagnosis, distant metastases, and the resistance to adjuvant therapies, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In addition to playing an essential role in tumor progression and development, microRNAs (miRNAs) can be used as a robust biomarker in the early detection of cancer. MiR-1290 was discovered for the first time in human embryonic stem cells, and under typical physiological situations, plays an essential role in neuronal differentiation and neural stem cell proliferation. Its coding sequence is located at the 1p36.13 regions in the first intron of the aldehyde dehydrogenase 4 gene member A1. miR-1290 is out of control in many cancers such as breast cancer, colorectal cancer, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, gastric cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, and plays a vital role in their development. Therefore, it is suggested that miR-1290 can be considered as a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target in many cancers. In addition to the importance of miR-1290 in the noninvasive diagnosis of various cancers, this systematic review study discussed the role of miR-1290 in altering the expression of different genes involved in cancer development and chemo-radiation resistance. Moreover, it considered the regulatory effect of natural products on miR-1290 expression and the interaction of lncRNAs by miR-1290.

Small but Challenging Conjunctival Melanoma: New Insights, Paradigms and Future Perspectives

Although its incidence has increased over the last decades, conjunctival melanoma (CM) remains a rare but challenging periocular malignancy. While there is currently no recognized standard of care, "no-touch" surgical excision followed by adjuvant treatments is usually recommended. Despite its small size, managing CM is challenging for clinicians. The first challenge is the high risk of tumour local recurrence that occurs in about one third of the patients. The management of locally advanced CM (≥T2) or multiple recurrences may require mutilating surgeries such as orbital exenteration (OE). The second challenge is the metastatic spread of CM that occurs in about one quarter of patients, regardless of whether complete surgical excision is performed or not. This highlights the infiltrative and highly aggressive behaviour of CM. Recently, attention has been directed towards the use of eye-sparing strategies to avoid OE. Initially, wide conservative surgeries followed by customized brachytherapy or radiotherapy have appeared as viable strategies. Nowadays, new biological insights into CM have revealed similarities with cutaneous melanoma. These new findings have allowed clinicians to reconsider the management of locally advanced CM with "medical" eye-sparing treatment as well as the management of metastatic spread. The aim of this review was to summarize the current and future perspectives of treatment for CM based on recent biological findings.

Structural Protein Analysis of Driver Gene Mutations in Conjunctival Melanoma

In recent years, there has been tremendous enthusiasm with respect to detailing the genetic basis of many neoplasms, including conjunctival melanoma (CM). We aim to analyze five proteins associated with CM, namely BRAF, NRAS, c-KIT, NF1, and PTEN. We evaluated each protein for its intrinsically disordered protein regions (IDPRs) and its protein-protein interactions (PPI) with the Predictor of Natural Disordered Protein Regions (PONDR^®) and the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING^®). Our PONDR^® analysis found high levels of IDPRs in all five proteins with mutations linked to CM. The highest levels of IDPRs were in BRAF (45.95%), followed by PTEN (31.76%), NF1 (22.19%), c-KIT (21.82%), and NRAS (14.81%). Our STRING analysis found that each of these five proteins had more predicted interactions then expected (p-value < 1.0 × 10⁻¹⁶). Our analysis demonstrates that the mutations linked to CM likely affected IDPRs and possibly altered their highly complex PPIs. Quantifying IDPRs in BRAF, NRAS, c-KIT, NF1, and PTEN and understanding these protein regions are important processes as IDPRs can be possible drug targets for novel targeted therapies for treating CM.

Conjunctival melanoma: New insights in tumour genetics and immunology, leading to new therapeutic options

Recent developments in oncology have led to a better molecular and cellular understanding of cancer, and the introduction of novel therapies. Conjunctival melanoma (CoM) is a rare but potentially devastating disease. A better understanding of CoM, leading to the development of novel therapies, is urgently needed. CoM is characterized by mutations that have also been identified in cutaneous melanoma, e.g. in BRAF, NRAS and TERT. These mutations are distinct from the mutations found in uveal melanoma (UM), affecting genes such as GNAQ, GNA11, and BAP1. Targeted therapies that are successful in cutaneous melanoma may therefore be useful in CoM. A recent breakthrough in the treatment of patients with metastatic cutaneous melanoma was the development of immunotherapy. While immunotherapy is currently sparsely effective in intraocular tumours such as UM, the similarities between CoM and cutaneous melanoma (including in their immunological tumour micro environment) provide hope for the application of immunotherapy in CoM, and preliminary clinical data are indeed emerging to support this use. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge regarding CoM, with a focus on the genetic and immunologic understanding. We elaborate on the distinct position of CoM in contrast to other types of melanoma, and explain how new insights in the pathophysiology of this disease guide the development of new, personalized, treatments.

Orbital exenteration for conjunctival melanoma: comparison of long-term outcome between individualised and conventional techniques

BACKGROUND

Growing evidence supports an individualised approach rather than radical surgery for conjunctival melanoma (CM). This study aimed to compare the long-term outcome between individualised and conventional exenteration techniques.

METHODS

Our study retrospectively recruited advanced CM (clinical T3 stage) patients treated with individualised (13 cases) or conventional (18 cases) exenteration from June 2014 to April 2019. The individualised approach preserved at least three quadrants of the orbit, and the conventional procedures removed at least one third of the orbital tissues. The medical records were collected and analyzed during April 2020, including demographics, tumour characteristics, surgical details, postoperative rehabilitation and tumour-related prognosis.

RESULTS

The tumour basal diameter was statistically (P = 0.011) larger in the conventional group (23.3 ± 7.6 mm) than in the individualised group (15.4 ± 6.3 mm). More tissues were preserved in the individualised group, resulting in a shorter duration of wound healing (2.1 ± 0.6 vs. 3.6 ± 2.0 weeks, P = 0.018) and less incidence of hollow appearance (15% vs. 72%, P = 0.003) than the conventional group. After follow-up for 39.3 ± 17.3 months, a comparison of survival curves showed no significant differences (P = 0.638) between the two groups. The 1- and 2-year overall survival rates were estimated as 100% and 80.0% in the individualised group, and 93.8% and 72.5% in the conventional group, respectively. Low or mixed pigmentation was identified as the risk factor for tumour-related mortality based on multivariate regression analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

The individualised approach to exenteration offers improved aesthetic results while still maximises the curable chance for advanced CM.

Image Analysis of 3D Conjunctival Melanoma Cell Cultures Following Electrochemotherapy

Three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures represent small avascular tumors in vitro and simulate some of the biological characteristics of solid tumors, enhancing the evaluation of anticancer drug efficacy. Automated image analysis can be used for the assessment of tumor growth and documentation of changes in the size parameters of 3D tumor spheroids following anticancer treatments such as electrochemotherapy. The objective of this article is to assess the effect of various electroporation (EP) conditions (500-750 Volts/cm, 8-20 pulses, 100 µs pulse duration, 5 Hz repetition rate) combined with different bleomycin concentrations (1-2.5 ug/mL) on normal epithelial (HCjE-Gi) and conjunctival melanoma (CRMM1, CRMM2) 3D-cell cultures, through an automated image analysis and a comparison with standard histological assays. A reduction in tumor mass with loss of cell definition was observed after ECT (750 Volts/cm with eight pulses and 500 Volts/cm with 20 pulses) with bleomycin (1 μg/mL and 2.5 μg/mL) in the histological and immunohistochemical analyses of 3D CRMM1 and CRMM2 spheroids, whereas an increase in volume and a decrease in sphericity was documented in the automated image analysis and 3D visualization of both melanoma cell lines. For all other treatment conditions and for the HCjE-Gi cell line, no significant changes to their morphological features were observed. Image analysis with integrated software tools provides an accessible and comprehensive platform for the preliminary selection of homogenous spheroids and for the monitoring of drug efficacy, implementing the traditional screening methods.