Pharmacokinetics of Intra-Arterial Melphalan in Patients withRecurrent or Progressive Retinoblastoma Treated on Spog-Rb-2011, A NationalPhase II Study of the Swiss Paediatric Oncology Group

Since the 1990s, intravenous (iv) chemotherapy has been the system-atic first-line treatment used in the management of retinoblastoma, to reduce tumour volumeand render it accessible to focal treatments as well as to avoid enucleation and/or radiother-apy. This approach has allowed globe preservation in the majority of group A-C tumors and in19-60% of group D cases. Relapse or tumour progression in this group D patients constitute amajor concern for globe salvage. Techniques of local administration of chemotherapy, such asSelective Ophtalmic Artery Chemotherapy (SOAC) administration offers an interesting alter-native. We report here pharmacokinetic analysis of melphalan administered by SOAC in eightpatients, their clinical response to SOAC and observed toxicities.