Cancers of the eye

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Diagnostic and Prognostic Values of 18F-FDG PET in Uveal Melanoma and Its Hepatic Metastasis

In this systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA-compliant), we tried to investigate diagnostic and prognostic values of 18F-FDG PET in uveal melanoma. A systematic search was conducted on the main medical literature databases to include studies that evaluated 18F-FDG PET as the imaging modality to evaluate patients with uveal melanoma. Overall, 27 studies were included. Twelve had data about the detection rate of 18F-FDG PET in primary intra-ocular tumours. The pooled sensitivity was 45% (95%CI: 41-50%). Furthermore, studies showed that the larger the primary tumour, the higher its uptake. Among the included studies, 13 assessed 18F-FDG PET in detecting metastasis. The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 96% (95%CI: 81-99%) and 100% (95%CI: 94-100%), respectively. Regarding liver metastasis, they were 95% (95%CI: 79-99%) and 100% (95%CI: 91-100%), respectively. Noteworthy, the level of 18F-FDG uptake was a strong predictor of patient survival. Lastly, 18F-FDG PET could characterise lesions from the histopathology perspective, distinguishing high-risk from low-risk diseases. Overall, although not reliable in detecting primary intra-ocular tumours, 18F-FDG PET is highly accurate for diagnosing metastatic uveal melanomas. It can also be a highly valuable modality in terms of patient prognostication. Thus, 18F-FDG PET can be recommended in patients diagnosed with uveal melanoma to enhance decision-making and patient management.

The Traces of Dysregulated lncRNAs-Associated ceRNA Axes in Retinoblastoma: A Systematic Scope Review

PURPOSE

Long non-coding RNAs are an essential component of competing endogenous RNA regulatory axes and play their role by sponging microRNAs and interfering with the regulation of gene expression. Because of the broadness of competing endogenous RNA interaction networks, they may help investigate treatment targets in complicated disorders.

METHODS

This study performed a systematic scoping review to assess verified loops of competing endogenous RNAs in retinoblastoma, emphasizing the competing endogenous RNAs axis related to long non-coding RNAs. We used a six-stage approach framework and the PRISMA guidelines. A systematic search of seven databases was done to locate suitable papers published before February 2022. Two reviewers worked independently to screen articles and collect data.

RESULTS

Out of 363 records, fifty-one articles met the inclusion criteria, and sixty-three axes were identified in desired articles. The majority of the research reported several long non-coding RNAs that were experimentally verified to act as competing endogenous RNAs in retinoblastoma: XIST/NEAT1/MALAT1/SNHG16/KCNQ1OT1, respectively. At the same time, around half of the studies investigated unique long non-coding RNAs.

CONCLUSIONS

Understanding the many features of this regulatory system may aid in elucidating the unknown etiology of Retinoblastoma and providing novel molecular targets for therapeutic and clinical applications.

Malignancies with a tendency to metastasize to the eyelid or ocular structures

Metastatic tumors to the eye and eyelid are generally seen in patients with disseminated metastases in the setting of advanced disease. Occasionally, they can present as the first sign of occult malignancy. The choroid is the most common site of intraocular metastases secondary to its dense vascular supply. Similar to the eye, metastatic tumors to the eyelid can present with a variety of clinical findings and are most often seen in patients with a known history of cancer. The most common skin malignancy that can spread to ocular structures is cutaneous melanoma, whereas the most common noncutaneous malignancy is breast cancer followed by lung cancer. In pediatric patients, metastatic disease to the eye is rare and can be seen in neuroblastoma and Ewing sarcoma. The overall prognosis of metastatic lesions involving the eye and eyelid is typically poor, with a mean survival of months. Ophthalmologists play an important role in the diagnosis of metastatic disease of the eye and eyelid; therefore, it is imperative for patients to undergo a complete ophthalmic examination and systemic workup if they have new-onset vision changes and a known history of cancer. Early diagnosis and management with systemic and local therapies can maximize quality of life and preserve vision.

Quality of life among people with eye cancer: a systematic review from 2012 to 2022

BACKGROUND

Eye cancer is a serious eye disease that threatens patients' lives. In the past decade, there have been more and more studies on eye cancer. From the recently published eye cancer literature review, it can be seen that the two most popular research hotspots are retinoblastoma (RB) and uveal melanoma (UM) [1, 2]. Although several studies have assessed QOL in different types of eye cancer patients, a study that synthesizes the factors influencing QOL in eye cancer patients is yet to be undertaken. This study aimed to review and evaluate the literature related to the QOL of RB and UM survivors, and provide a synthesis of the current evidence on the impact of the two types of eye cancer on the overall QOL of patients.

METHODS

Eight databases (APA Psych Articles, CINAHL Complete, Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition, MEDLINE Complete, Scopus, Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Registers (Clinicaltrials.gov.)) were searched between January 2012 and December 2022 for English, peer-reviewed quantitative original studies within this review. All publications were screened using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses reporting guidelines. The methodological quality of the reviews was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklists. The findings were summarised and tabulated accordingly.

RESULTS

Seventeen articles were analysed. Among them, 14 articles on patients with UM, and three articles on patients with RB using 18 different types of measurement tools were included. Eight researchers claimed that the overall QOL of patients with eye cancer was better than or similar to that of the general healthy population. However, nine studies indicated that these patients had poorer QOL than others. Many factors affect QOL, including treatment, sex, and age.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review identified the QOL levels and several factors that influence the QOL of ocular cancer patients worldwide, due to the variability in quality of the studies, it also showed the need for further research to assess factors affecting long-term QOL outcomes in RB and UM survivors. Simultaneously, it clarified the necessity and importance of developing standardized and complete assessment tools to compare QOL in different countries. Early interventions can be developed to improve the survivors' QOL by identifying potential deficits in specific areas.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the eyelid

Eyelid squamous cell carcinoma is a major type of rare eyelid cancer, together with basal cell carcinoma and sebaceous gland carcinoma. It is a painless disease that progresses slowly and is often detected by the appearance of nodules or plaques. Risk factors include exposure to ultraviolet light, fair skin, radiation and human papillomavirus infection. The standard treatment is surgical removal, and in cases of orbital invasion, orbital content removal is required. If sentinel node biopsy reveals a high risk of lymph node metastasis, adjuvant radiotherapy may be considered. Local chemotherapy, such as imiquimod and 5-fluorouracil, may be used for eyelid squamous cell carcinoma in situ. When surgery or radiotherapy is not recommended for distant metastases or locally advanced disease, drug therapy is often according to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in Japan. The treatment often requires a multidisciplinary team to ensure the preservation of function and cosmetic appearance.

Advanced Technologies of Drug Delivery to the Posterior Eye Segment Targeting Angiogenesis and Ocular Cancer

Retinoblastoma (RB), a childhood retinal cancer is caused due to RB1 gene mutation which affects the child below 5 years of age. Angiogenesis has been proven its role in RB metastasis due to the presence of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in RB cells. Therefore, exploring angiogenic pathway by inhibiting VEGF in treating RB would pave the way for future treatment. In preclinical studies, anti-VEGF molecule have shown their efficacy in treating RB. However, treatment requires recurrent intra-vitreal injections causing various side effects along with patient nonadherence. As a result, delivery of anti-VEGF agent to retina requires an ocular delivery system that can transport it in a non-invasive manner to achieve patient compliance. Moreover, development of these type of systems are challenging due to the complicated physiological barriers of eye. Adopting a non-invasive or minimally invasive approach for delivery of anti-VEGF agents would not only address the bioavailability issues but also improve patient adherence to therapy overcoming the side effects associated with invasive approach. The present review focuses on the eye cancer, angiogenesis and various novel ocular drug delivery systems that can facilitate inhibition of VEGF in the posterior eye segment by overcoming the eye barriers.

Revolutionizing ocular cancer management: a narrative review on exploring the potential role of ChatGPT

This paper pioneers the exploration of ocular cancer, and its management with the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. Existing literature presents a significant increase in new eye cancer cases in 2023, experiencing a higher incidence rate. Extensive research was conducted using online databases such as PubMed, ACM Digital Library, ScienceDirect, and Springer. To conduct this review, Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines are used. Of the collected 62 studies, only 20 documents met the inclusion criteria. The review study identifies seven ocular cancer types. Important challenges associated with ocular cancer are highlighted, including limited awareness about eye cancer, restricted healthcare access, financial barriers, and insufficient infrastructure support. Financial barriers is one of the widely examined ocular cancer challenges in the literature. The potential role and limitations of ChatGPT are discussed, emphasizing its usefulness in providing general information to physicians, noting its inability to deliver up-to-date information. The paper concludes by presenting the potential future applications of ChatGPT to advance research on ocular cancer globally.

Epidemiology of Eye Cancer in Cali, Colombia: A 55-Year Study

PURPOSE

To describe the epidemiology, incidence, mortality and survival of ocular cancer in Cali between 1962 and 2019.

METHODS

Ecological population-based study analyzing data of incidence, mortality, and 5-years survival of malignant ocular tumors from the Populational Cancer Registry of Cali between 1962 and 2019.

RESULTS

Between 1962 and 2019, 586 ocular tumors were found, 50.5% occurred in females, the mean age at diagnosis was 45 years (standard deviation = 25), 70.3% of ocular malignancies occurred in >14 years. The average annual incidence rate was 7.8 per million for male and 6.9 per million for females. Retinoblastoma (21%), squamous cell carcinoma (20%), melanoma (16%) and lymphoma (8%) were the most common neoplasm. In those <15 years, the most frequent malignant tumors were retinoblastomas (85.7%), followed by non-specified malignant neoplasm (NOS, 7.9%), and rhabdomyosarcoma (3.6%). In those >14 years, there were NOS (30%), followed by squamous cell carcinomas (28%), melanomas (23%), and lymphomas (9.7%). Conjunctiva (38.2%), retina (21%) and orbit (10%) constituted the majority of anatomical sites of ocular tumors. The survival rate was about 83.2% and mortality did not show a decreasing trend over time (p > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of ocular cancer in Cali has a slightly increasing trend, with stable behavior in the last decades. Squamous cell carcinoma, retinoblastoma, melanoma and lymphoma are the most frequent ocular cancers, with being retinoblastoma more frequent than melanoma. In general, ocular cancer had good survival rates in Cali.

Assessment of online patient education material for eye cancers: A cross-sectional study

The objective of this study was to assess online American patient education material (PEM) related to eye cancers in order to determine the quality of the content and appropriateness of the contents' reading level as it relates to the American population. PEMs were extracted from fifteen American cancer and ophthalmology associations and evaluated for their reading level using ten validated readability scales. PEMs then had all words extracted and evaluated for their difficulty and familiarity. The quality of the PEMS were assessed according to DISCERN, Heath On the Net Foundation Code of Conduct (HONCode), and JAMA benchmarks. Overall, online PEMs from the associations were written at a 11th grade reading level, which is above the recommended 6th grade reading level. The difficult word analysis identified that 26% of words were unfamiliar. Only one of the fifteen association held a HONCode certification while no organization met the standards of all four JAMA benchmarks. The average score for DISCERN was 2.4 out of a total of 5 for the fifteen questions related to treatment option information quality. Consideration should be made to create PEMs at an appropriate grade reading level to encourage health literacy and ultimately promote health outcomes. Associations should also focus on incorporating easily identifiable quality indicators to allow patients to better identify reputable resources.

The clinicopathological analysis of ocular and orbit tumors in southeast of China

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to describe the clinicopathologic characteristics of ocular surface and orbit tumors in the Southeast of China and explore the method to differentiate the benign and malignant masses.

Materials and methods

3468 patients undergoing mass resection from January 2015 to December 2020 were selected as observation subjects and were classified into benign and malignant masses according to postoperative pathology. The clinicopathologic characteristics were collected, including gender, age, pathological tissue signs, and pathological signs. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis of independent risk factors of malignant mass was applied to establish a diagnostic model and the efficacy was evaluated by the subject working characteristics (ROC) curve.

Results

Benign tumors accounted for 91.5% of all cases, and malignant tumors accounted for 8.5%. The most common ocular benign tumors were nevi (24.2%), granuloma (17.1%), and cysts (16.4%). The most common ocular malignant tumors were malignant lymphoma (32.1%) and Basal cell carcinoma (20.2%). As for the histologic origin, melanocytic origin was on the list with 819 (23.6%), mesenchymal 661 (19.1%), epithelial 568 (16.3%), cystic 521 (15.0%), skin adnexal 110 (3.1%), lymphoid 94 (2.8%), and Neural 25(0.8%). Based on the gender, age, tumor location, and the pathological tissue image feature (including differentiation, structural atypia, covering epithelial, keratosis, nest structure/distribution, nuclear atypia, cytoplasmic change and nuclear division), the diagnostic model had predictive value to differentiate the benign and malignant masses.

Conclusion

Most ocular surface and orbit tumors are benign. Tumor diagnosis is relative to the patient's age, gender, tumor location, and pathologic characteristics. We generated a satisfactory diagnostic model to differential diagnosis of benign and malignant masses.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Clinical Care for Uveal Melanoma Patients-A Systematic Review from an Ophthalmic Perspective

Conversely to most tumour types, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was rarely used for eye tumours. As recent technical advances have increased ocular MRI's diagnostic value, various clinical applications have been proposed. This systematic review provides an overview of the current status of MRI in the clinical care of uveal melanoma (UM) patients, the most common eye tumour in adults. In total, 158 articles were included. Two- and three-dimensional anatomical scans and functional scans, which assess the tumour micro-biology, can be obtained in routine clinical setting. The radiological characteristics of the most common intra-ocular masses have been described extensively, enabling MRI to contribute to diagnoses. Additionally, MRI's ability to non-invasively probe the tissue's biological properties enables early detection of therapy response and potentially differentiates between high- and low-risk UM. MRI-based tumour dimensions are generally in agreement with conventional ultrasound (median absolute difference 0.5 mm), but MRI is considered more accurate in a subgroup of anteriorly located tumours. Although multiple studies propose that MRI's 3D tumour visualisation can improve therapy planning, an evaluation of its clinical benefit is lacking. In conclusion, MRI is a complementary imaging modality for UM of which the clinical benefit has been shown by multiple studies.

The Impact of Color Vision Deficiency on the Capability of Ophthalmologists to Diagnose Benign and Malignant Choroidal Tumors

BACKGROUND

Color vision deficiency (CVD) is an under-reported problem among medical personnel, and its impact is still not well characterized. We aim to assess the impact of CVD among ophthalmologists on the accuracy of diagnosing different benign and malignant choroidal lesions.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study conducted on ophthalmologists. We used a web-based survey to collect responses through professional ophthalmology society social media. The survey included a set of five images for normal fundus, choroidal nevus, circumscribed choroidal hemangioma, choroidal metastasis, and choroidal melanoma, wherein each image simulated the three main types of CVD: protanopia, deuteranopia, and tritanopia, in addition to a non-simulated image.

RESULTS

Forty-one participants were included, with a mean age of 40 (±9.2) years. They were 28 (68%) men and 13 (32%) women. Participants showed significantly low accuracy for definite diagnosis for circumscribed choroidal hemangioma, nevus, melanoma, and metastasis when the images simulated protanopia and deuteranopia, but not tritanopia. Nevertheless, participants maintained the capability to recognize the nature of the lesions for both simulated and non-simulated images if they were benign or malignant, thereby ensuring immediate referral for specialized care. The exception was with simulated choroidal nevi images, wherein participants incorrectly assigned simulated protanopia and deuteranopia nevi images to malignant lesions.

CONCLUSION

Protanopia and deuteranopia affected the accuracy of diagnosing several choroidal lesions; however, ophthalmologists with those two simulated CVDs were still able to discriminate between benign and malignant tumors.

Choroidal Neovascular Membranes in Retinal and Choroidal Tumors: Origins, Mechanisms, and Effects

Choroidal neovascularizations are historically associated with exudative macular degeneration, nonetheless, they have been observed in nevus, melanoma, osteoma, and hemangioma involving the choroid and retina. This review aimed to elucidate the possible origins of neovascular membranes by examining in vivo and in vitro models compared to real clinical cases. Among the several potential mechanisms examined, particular attention was paid to histologic alterations and molecular cascades. Physical or biochemical resistance to vascular invasion from the choroid offered by Bruch's membrane, the role of fibroblast growth factor 2 and vascular endothelial growth factor, resident or recruited stem-like/progenitor cells, and other angiogenic promoters were taken into account. Even if the exact mechanisms are still partially obscure, experimental models are progressively enhancing our understanding of neovascularization etiology. Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) over melanoma, osteoma, and other tumors is not rare and is not contraindicative of malignancy as previously believed. In addition, CNV may represent a late complication of either benign or malignant choroidal tumors, stressing the importance of a long follow-up.

Role of non-coding RNAs and exosomal non-coding RNAs in retinoblastoma progression

Retinoblastoma (RB) is a rare aggressive intraocular malignancy of childhood that has the potential to affect vision, and can even be fatal in some children. While the tumor can be controlled efficiently at early stages, metastatic tumors lead to high mortality. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are implicated in a number of physiological cellular process, including differentiation, proliferation, migration, and invasion, The deregulation of ncRNAs is correlated with several diseases, particularly cancer. ncRNAs are categorized into two main groups based on their length, i.e. short and long ncRNAs. Moreover, ncRNA deregulation has been demonstrated to play a role in the pathogenesis and development of RB. Several ncRNAs, such as miR-491-3p, miR-613,and SUSD2 have been found to act as tumor suppressor genes in RB, but other ncRNAs, such as circ-E2F3, NEAT1, and TUG1 act as tumor promoter genes. Understanding the regulatory mechanisms of ncRNAs can provide new opportunities for RB therapy. In the present review, we discuss the functional roles of the most important ncRNAs in RB, their interaction with the genes responsible for RB initiation and progression, and possible future clinical applications as diagnostic and prognostic tools or as therapeutic targets.

A Systematic Review Article on Orbital Exenteration: Indication, Complications and Reconstruction Methods

Orbital Exenteration is a major surgical procedure that consists of the removal of the orbital bone, orbital fat, eyeball, and its contents including extraocular muscles. It is an extensive and morbid surgical procedure. Our aim is to systematically review the indications, complications and reconstruction methods utilised for orbital exenteration. An objective electronic database search was conducted in PUBMED Central, MeSH, NLM Catalog, Bookshelf, and PUBMED published in 20 years period from 1999 till 2019. A total of 29 articles were shortlisted for the present review. Most of the studies have eyelid and canthus as most common primary site of malignancy leading to orbital exenteration. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma being most common pathology. Other intraocular pathology was Retinoblastoma and melanoma. There were various reconstruction methods used by different authors and Sino-orbital fistula was most commonly occurring in majority of studies. Inspite of being a morbid surgery, Orbital Exenteration had acceptable survival and good quality of life. The aggressive pathology that requires orbital exenteration worldwide is mostly periorbital skin, sinus, and intraocular malignancies. The morbidity of the procedure is high with many surgical complications. However, in properly selected patients it can give better outcomes and survival.

EPHA2, EPHA4, and EPHA6 Expression in Uveal Melanomas: Searching for the Culprits of Neoplasia

Uveal melanomas (UMs) comprise the most common primary intraocular malignancies in adults, with the eye representing the second most common site for melanoma, following the skin. Prognosis remains poor, with approximately half of the cases presenting with metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis. Erythropoietin-producing human hepatocellular receptors (EPHs) comprise the largest known family of tyrosine receptors, in which, along with their ligands, ephrins, play an important role in a plethora of processes in human physiology, and are implicated in key steps of carcinogenesis. In the present study, EPHA2, EPHA4, and EPHA6 immunohistochemical expressions were investigated in UM tissues and further correlated to a multitude of clinicopathological parameters, including disease stage and patients’ overall survival (OS). High levels of EPHA2 expression were significantly associated with increased tumor vertical thickness (p = 0.03) and the presence of intrascleral involvement (p = 0.05), whereas high EPHA6 nuclear expression was associated with older age at diagnosis (p = 0.03) and absence of retinal detachment (p = 0.05). In a multivariate survival analysis, increased EPHA4 expression was associated with shortened OS along with the presence of metastasis (p < 0.001) and monosomy 3 (p = 0.02). In a separate model, the concurrent overexpression of at least two of the investigated EPHs (HR = 14.7, p = 0.03) also proved to be an independent poor prognostic factor. In conclusion, our results implicate these specific members of the EPHA group as potential biomarkers for disease prognosis as well as possible targets for the development of novel therapeutic interventions.

Carbohydrate antigen 125, carbohydrate antigen 15-3 and low-density lipoprotein as risk factors for intraocular metastases in postmenopausal breast cancer

The prognosis of patients with postmenopausal breast cancer (PBC) could be improved by the early detection of intraocular metastases (IOMs). However, serum biomarkers for IOMs in PBC remain elusive. In the current study, we investigated patients with PBC, and compared serum parameters in an IOM and a non-IOM group, and then differentiated the risk factors related to IOMs. A comparison between an IOM and a non-IOM (NIOM) group was performed using Student t-test and a Chi-Squared test. After constructing a Poisson regression model to identify risk factors, we plotted receiver operating characteristic curves to evaluate the predictive value of significant risk factors in detecting IOMs. The incidence of IOMs in PBC was 1.16%. The histopathology results were not significantly different between the 2 groups. The levels of serum carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA-125), carbohydrate antigen 15-3 (CA15-3) and alkaline phosphatase were significantly elevated in IOMs compared with NIOMs (P = .082, P < .001, and P < .001, respectively). Compared with NIOMs, age, carbohydrate antigen 19 to 9, hemoglobin, calcium, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and apolipoprotein A1 were remarkably lower in IOMs (P = .038, P < .001, P < .001, P = .032, P = .041, P < .001, and P = .001, respectively). Poisson regression suggested that CA-125, CA15-3 and LDL were contributing to IOMs in PBC as risk factors (OR = 1.003, 95% CI: 1.001-1.005; OR = 1.025, 95% CI: 1.019-1.033; OR = 0.238, 95% CI: 0.112-0.505, respectively). A receiver operating characteristic curve revealed that the cut-off values for CA-125, CA15-3 and LDL were 16.78 0 U/mL, 63.175 U/mL, and 2.415 mmol/L, respectively. The combination of CA-125 and CA15-3 showed significant diagnostic value (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.982, P < .001). Our investigation suggests that CA-125, CA15-3 and LDL remarkably predict IOMs in PBC as risk factors, and the combination of CA-125 and CA15-3 shows considerable diagnostic value.

Ocular Oncology-Primary and Metastatic Malignancies

Several neoplastic processes can involve the eye, either primarily or secondary to a systemic malignancy. The most common primary tumors of the eye include conjunctival and uveal melanoma, retinoblastoma, conjunctival and intraocular lymphoma, and ocular surface squamous neoplasia. Metastatic spread from systemic malignancies, especially of the breast and lung, also can involve the eye. A combination of ophthalmologic examination, ancillary testing, and cytologic/histopathologic evaluation leads to accurate diagnosis. Management consists of surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy delivered in various forms.

Incidence and trends of ophthalmic cancer in Singapore: Data from Singapore Cancer Registry

INTRODUCTION

Limited data are available on the incidence of primary ophthalmic cancers worldwide. We describe the incidence and trends of primary ophthalmic cancers in Singapore.

METHODS

Data on ophthalmic cancers diagnosed in Singapore from 1996 to 2016 were retrieved from the Singapore Cancer Registry for analysis. All were histologically proven primary ophthalmic cancers. Calculations of incidence and age-specific frequency of ophthalmic malignancy were made.

RESULTS

A total of 297 cases were included, with males constituting 59.9%. The race distribution was 78.5% Chinese, 16.5% Malay, 3.7% Indians and 1.3% others. There was an overall increase in ophthalmic malignancies. The mean age of onset was 47.4 years. The most common cancers were retinoblastoma (93.3%) in patients younger than 15 years, and lymphoma (71.3%) in patients aged 15 years and older. There has been an increase in lymphomas from 16.7% in 1968-1995 to 71.3% in 1996-2016 in those aged 15 years and older. The most common types of ophthalmic cancer according to location are lymphoma of the orbit, conjunctiva, cornea and lacrimal gland; retinoblastoma of the retina; and malignant melanoma of the choroid and ciliary body.

CONCLUSION

Our study reported the incidence and trends of ophthalmic cancer in the Singapore population and showed an overall increase in ophthalmic malignancies in Singapore from 1996-2016. A substantial increase in lymphomas over the last 2 decades was noted. The data could aid clinicians, epidemiologists and policymakers in implementing strategies to address trends in ophthalmic cancers and spur aetiological research to improve quality of life in patients with such cancers.

Epidemiological Profile and Clinical Stage at Presentation of Eyelid Malignancies in a Multi-Ethnic Country

ABSTRACT

Eyelid malignancies are frequently seen in clinical practice. There is a lack of studies that have assessed the features of these lesions in mixed population countries. The epidemiologic profile, clinical stage at presentation, management, and outcomes of patients with eyelid malignancies were assessed, in order to better understand the features of these lesions in a multi-ethnic country. The medical records of patients who underwent eyelid tumor excision in a tertiary service in Brazil, from 2014 to 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. It was recorded for each patient: age, gender, time of onset, location, diagnosis, management, and follow-up. The medical records of 298 patients who presented with eyelid tumors were evaluated and 67 (22.4%) were malignant. The mean age of patients with malignancies was 52.93 years and 50% were male. Basal cell carcinoma was the most prevalent (61.2%), followed by squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (29.9%) and sebaceous gland carcinoma (3%). The average time it took from appearance to surgical treatment was 3 years; the lower eyelid was the most affected for both basal cell carcinoma and SCC; 70% of SCCs were locally invasive at presentation and metastasis occurred in 15%. Basal cell carcinoma was the most common eyelid malignancy observed, however, its frequency was lower when compared to other western countries. The advanced stage at presentation may reflect the lack of education of the population to seek early care, and the lack of specialized tertiary centers in remote areas, resulting in delayed diagnosis.

The Prognostic Values of PARP-1 Expression in Uveal Melanoma

Background: Uveal melanoma is the most common primary intraocular malignancy in adults. In advanced cases, the prognosis is very poor. Thus far, no effective methods of pharmacotherapy of this cancer have been found. The aim of the study was to evaluate the expression of PARP-1, the best-known member of the family of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases, in uveal melanoma and its associations with clinicopathological parameters, overall survival, and disease-free survival. Methods: The study included 91 patients who underwent enucleation due to uveal melanoma. PARP-1 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Results: High PARP-1 expression was associated with more frequent chromosome 3 loss, higher histopathological grade, bigger tumor size, and absence of intrascleral extension. High PARP-1 expression was associated with shorter overall survival time and disease-free survival time. Conclusions: The above findings indicate that high expression of PARP-1 can be considered as an unfavorable prognostic factor in uveal melanoma.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors and their unique therapeutic potentialities to combat cancer

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death with a mortality rate of 12%. Although significant progress has been achieved in cancer research, the effective treatment of cancer remains the greatest global challenge in medicine. Dysregulation of tyrosine kinases (TK) is one of the characteristics of several types of cancers. Thus, drugs that target and inhibit these enzymes, known as TK inhibitors (TKIs), are considered vital chemotherapeutics to combat various types of cancer. The oral bioavailability of available TKIs and their targeted therapy are their potential benefits. Based on these characteristics, most TKIs are included in first/second-line therapy for the treatment of different cancers. This review aims to shed light on orally-active TKIs (natural and synthetic molecules) and their promising implication in the therapy of numerous types of tumors along with their mechanisms of action. Further, recent progress in the development of synthetic and isolation of natural TKIs is reviewed. A significant growth in research regarding the development of new-generation TKIs is made with time (23 FDA-approved TKIs from 2018) due to their better therapeutic response. Oral bioavailability should be considered as an important parameter while developing of new-generation TKIs; however, drug delivery systems can also be used to address issue of poor bioavailability to a certain extent. Moreover, clinical trials should be designed in consideration of the development of resistance and tumor heterogeneity.

Apolipoprotein A1 and Low-Density Lipoprotein as Risk Factors for Intraocular Metastases in Postmenopausal Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND

The outcomes of patients with postmenopausal breast cancer(PBC) can be improved through the early detection of intraocular metastases(IOMs). In this study, we investigated patients with PBC, and compared those with IOMs with those with non-intraocular metastases(NIOMs) in terms of blood lipid levels, and then differentiated the risk factors associated with IOMs.

METHODS

Student's t-test and a chi-square test were used to discriminate between the IOMs and NIOMs groups. After establishing a Poisson regression model to analyze risk factors, we plotted receiver operating characteristic curves(ROC) to assess the quality of risk factors predicting IOMs.

RESULTS

The incidence of IOMs in PBC was 1.16%. There was no significant difference in terms of histopathology between the 2 groups. The levels of total cholesterol (TC), apolipoprotein A1(APOA1) and low-density lipoprotein(LDL) in IOMs were significantly lower than in NIOMs groups. Poisson regression suggested that low levels of APOA1 and LDL were risk factors for IOMs (P = 0.002 and P < 0.001, respectively). ROC curve analysis demonstrated that the cut-off values of APOA1 and LDL were 1.025 g/L and 2.415 mmol/L. The highest prediction accuracy for IOMs involved the combination of APOA1 and LDL (AUC = 0.881, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Our research demonstrates that low levels of APOA1 and LDL efficiently predict IOMs in PBC as risk factors, and the combination of APOA1 and LDL was more predictive than single factors.

Clinicopathological analysis of 719 pediatric and adolescents' ocular tumors and tumor-like lesions: a retrospective study from 2000 to 2018 in China

AIM

To describe the clinicopathologic features and classification of pediatric and adolescent ocular tumors and tumor-like lesions.

METHODS

A total of 719 cases of pathologically confirmed ocular tumors and tumor-like lesions in a pediatric population from two academic institutions over an 18-year period were retrospectively analyzed. The main outcome measures were the clinical and pathological features of the cases.

RESULTS

Benign tumors accounted for 92.1% of all cases while malignant tumors accounted for 7.9%. The most common ocular benign tumors were (epi-)dermoid cysts (19.8%), nevi (15.2%), corneal dermoid tumors (9.8%), and calcified epitheliomas (8.8%). The most common ocular malignant tumors were retinoblastoma (80.8%), and rhabdomyosarcoma (3.9%). Eyelid and ocular surface tumors comprised 73.3% of benign tumors while intraocular and orbital cavity comprised 94.2% of malignant tumors. For tumor site, the upper eyelid was up to 1.79 times more than lower eyelid (P<0.05). Age at surgery and sex also had an association with different lesions (P=0.006, P=0.035, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Most ocular tumors and tumor-like lesions in children and adolescents are benign. Pediatric ocular tumors are distinct from those in adults in terms of histological origin. (Epi-)dermoid cysts are the most common benign tumors while retinoblastomas the most common malignant tumors.

Update on uveal melanoma: Translational research from biology to clinical practice (Review)

Uveal melanoma is the most common type of intraocular cancer with a low mean annual incidence of 5‑10 cases per million. Tumours are located in the choroid (90%), ciliary body (6%) or iris (4%) and of 85% are primary tumours. As in cutaneous melanoma, tumours arise in melanocytes; however, the characteristics of uveal melanoma differ, accounting for 3‑5% of melanocytic cancers. Among the numerous risk factors are age, sex, genetic and phenotypic predisposition, the work environment and dermatological conditions. Management is usually multidisciplinary, including several specialists such as ophthalmologists, oncologists and maxillofacial surgeons, who participate in the diagnosis, treatment and complex follow‑up of these patients, without excluding the management of the immense emotional burden. Clinically, uveal melanoma generates symptoms that depend as much on the affected ocular globe site as on the tumour size. The anatomopathological study of uveal melanoma has recently benefited from developments in molecular biology. In effect, disease classification or staging according to molecular profile is proving useful for the assessment of this type of tumour. Further, the improved knowledge of tumour biology is giving rise to a more targeted approach to diagnosis, prognosis and treatment development; for example, epigenetics driven by microRNAs as a target for disease control. In the present study, the main epidemiological, clinical, physiopathological and molecular features of this disease are reviewed, and the associations among all these factors are discussed.

EPZ015666, a selective protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) inhibitor with an antitumour effect in retinoblastoma

Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most common intraocular malignant tumour in infants, and chemotherapy has been the primary therapy method in recent years. PRMT5 is an important member of the protein arginine methyltransferase family, which plays an important role in various tumours. Our study showed that PRMT5 was overexpressed in retinoblastoma and played an important role in retinoblastoma cell growth. EPZ015666 is a novel PRMT5 inhibitor, and we found that it inhibited retinoblastoma cell proliferation and led to cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase. At the same time, EPZ015666 regulated cell cycle related protein (P53, P21, P27, CDK2) expression. In brief, our study showed that PRMT5 promoted retinoblastoma growth, the PRMT5 inhibitor EPZ015666 inhibited retinoblastoma in vitro by regulating P53-P21/P27-CDK2 signaling pathways and slowed retinoblastoma growth in a xenograft model.

Epidemiological Analysis and Prognosis of Conjunctival Cancer in the Past Twenty Years: A Population-Based Retrospective Study Using SEER Data

Epidemiological studies of malignant primary conjunctival tumors are rare. We extracted data pertaining to primary site-labeled conjunctival cancer patients present within the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database from 1992 to 2001 and from 2002 to 2011. The Kaplan-Meier approach was used for comparisons of overall survival (OS) between patients, while OS-related risk factors were identified via a Cox proportional hazards regression approach. We then constructed a nomogram that could be used to predict the 3- and 5-year OS, with the accuracy of this predictive model based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. We observed a significant reduction in age-adjusted incidence of conjunctival cancer in the 50-69-year-old age group of the 2002-2011 cohort relative to the 1992-2001 cohort (APC, P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in OS between the 1992-2001 and 2002-2011 conjunctival cancer patient cohorts. Being ≥30 years old (P < 0.05), male (P < 0.001), single (P < 0.05), divorced (P < 0.001), or widowed (P < 0.001) were all associated with an increased OS-related risk of primary conjunctival cancer (1992-2011). Our nomogram was able to accurately predict 3- and 5-year OS in conjunctival cancer patients. In verification mode, the 3-year area under the curve (AUC) was 0.697 and the 5-year AUC was 0.752. We found that age, sex, and marital status were all associated with primary conjunctival cancer survival. Our results further suggest that conjunctival cancer incidence and survival rates have been relatively stable over the last two decades, and using these data, we were able to generate a satisfactory risk prediction model for this disease.

Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Eyelid With Metaplastic Bone Formation

Basal cell carcinoma accounts for 90% of malignant tumors of the eyelid. Basal cell carcinoma has been reported to rarely occur in conjunction with osteoma cutis or bone formation in the skin. The mechanism of this secondary osteoma cutis has yet to be explained. Herein, the authors present the case of a 68-year-old woman with a rapidly enlarging basal cell carcinoma with secondary osteoma cutis of the left lower eyelid.

A temperature-sensitive phase-change hydrogel of topotecan achieves a long-term sustained antitumor effect on retinoblastoma cells

Background

Retinoblastoma (Rb) is one of the most common malignancies among children. Following early diagnosis and prompt treatment, the clinical outcome or prognosis of Rb is promising. However, the prognosis or survival rates of patients with late-stage Rb remain poor. Current therapeutic strategies for advanced Rb mainly involve the use of advanced chemotherapeutic options. However, the efficacy of these strategies is not satisfactory. Therefore, the development of novel strategies to achieve a more effective antitumor effect on late-stage Rb is of crucial importance.

Methods and materials

Topotecan was dissolved in phosphate-buffered saline and prepared into a temperature-sensitive phase-change hydrogel (termed Topo-Gel). Moreover, Topo-Gel was injected into tumor tissues formed by Y79 cells (an Rb cell line) in nude mice to examine the long-term release and long-acting antitumor effect of Topo-Gel on Rb tumors.

Results

Topo-Gel transforms from liquid to a hydrogel at near body temperatures (phase-change temperature [T_1/2] was 37.23±0.473 °C), and maintains the slow release of topotecan in Rb tumor tissues. Following the subcutaneous injection of Topo-Gel, the treatment induced long-acting inhibition of tumor growth and relieved the adverse effects associated with topotecan. Topo-Gel, a temperature-sensitive phase-change hydrogel, is a slow-release system that prolongs the presence of topotecan in Rb tissues, and preserves the efficacy of topotecan in the long term.

Conclusion

Preparation of topotecan into a temperature-sensitive phase-change hydrogel achieves a long-term sustained antitumor effect on Rb cells, and may be a useful strategy for the treatment of intraocular Rb.