History, presence, and future of mitomycin C in glaucoma filtration surgery

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Mitomycin C (MMC) is an alkylating agent with extraordinary ability to crosslink DNA, preventing DNA synthesis. By this virtue, MMC is an important antitumor drug. In addition, MMC has become the gold standard medication for glaucoma filtration surgery (GFS). This eye surgery creates a passage for drainage of aqueous humor (AqH) out of the eye into the sub-Tenon's space with the aim of lowering the intraocular pressure. A major cause of failure of this operation is fibrosis and scarring in the sub-Tenon's space, which will restrict AqH outflow. Intraoperative application of MMC during GFS has increased GFS success rate, presumably mainly by reducing fibrosis after GFS. However, still 10% of glaucoma surgeries fail within the first year.

RECENT FINDINGS

In this review, we evaluate risks and benefits of MMC as an adjuvant for GFS. In addition, we discuss possible improvements of its use by adjusting dose and method of administration.

SUMMARY

One way of improving GFS outcome is to prolong MMC delivery by using a drug delivery system.

Cancer chemotherapy. Historical aspects and future considerations

Effective cancer chemotherapeutic agents were developed rapidly during the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. With recognition of the curability with chemotherapy of certain selected advanced cancers the emphasis of treatment has changed from a palliative to a curative mode. Several important biological advances, such as increased understanding of pharmacokinetics and the principles of combination chemotherapy, have strongly influenced the administration of chemotherapeutic agents. Other major conceptual changes, such as the recognition that regional lymph nodes are not effective barriers to tumor spread, have also had a major impact on the course of cancer treatment. The 1980s will be as productive as the preceding decades, but it is difficult at this time to determine if biologic response modifiers, monoclonal antibodies, differentiating agents, or some other as yet unrecognized therapy will be the major advance.