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Intravitreal melphalan therapy for vitreous seeds in retinoblastoma: Implementation and outcomes of a new chemotherapy protocol
- Source :
- Journal of oncology pharmacy practice : official publication of the International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners. 26(8)
- Publication Year :
- 2020
-
Abstract
- Retinoblastoma is the most common paediatric ocular tumour, which appears in the retina. Without treatment, retinoblastoma grows and destroys the internal ocular globe architecture, even leading to metastasis. When treated, overall survival is close to 97%, the alkylating drug melphalan being the most extensively used chemotherapeutic agent in localised treatment. The aim of this study is to describe the implementation of a new intravitreal chemotherapy retinoblastoma treatment protocol for children implanting vitreous seeds through intravitreal melphalan injections and to evaluate the patients’ health outcomes treated with it. Between December 2014 and July 2018, seven patients were treated with this protocol. They received a mean of 3.3 cycles of intravitreal melphalan with standard doses of 30 mcg per cycle. In the seven eyes treated in our hospital, the response was as expected; three eyes with vitreous seedings (43%) were successfully treated. The main adverse effects presented by all patients were scars at cryogenisation points. In two patients, the appearance of ‘salt and pepper’ retinopathy was reported. Oncology pharmacists, as part of the treatment team, can provide information about recommended doses, expected adverse effects, stability of preparations, most appropriate method of processing, packaging, and methods of drug administration, to ensure efficacy and especially safety in the administration of these drugs.
- Subjects :
- Melphalan
medicine.medical_specialty
medicine.medical_treatment
Retinal Neoplasms
Pharmacists
03 medical and health sciences
0302 clinical medicine
Ophthalmology
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols
medicine
Humans
Pharmacology (medical)
Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating
Retrospective Studies
Chemotherapy
Vitreous seeds
Retinoblastoma
business.industry
Infant
medicine.disease
eye diseases
Vitreous Body
Oncology
Intravitreal Injections
030221 ophthalmology & optometry
business
030217 neurology & neurosurgery
medicine.drug
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 1477092X
- Volume :
- 26
- Issue :
- 8
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Journal of oncology pharmacy practice : official publication of the International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....ed9a9d2871d7fdce4cac071238fcf50d