Primary photodynamic therapy for small amelanotic choroidal melanomas: consecutive case series of 69 patients with at least 24-month follow-up

Combination of Molecule-Targeted Therapy and Photodynamic Therapy Using Nanoformulated Verteporfin for Effective Uveal Melanoma Treatment

Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary ocular malignancy in adults and has high mortality. Recurrence, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance are frequently observed in UM, but no beneficial systemic therapy is available, presenting an urgent need for developing effective therapeutic drugs. Verteporfin (VP) is a photosensitizer and a Yes-Associated Protein (YAP) inhibitor that has been used in clinical practice. However, VP's lack of tumor targetability, poor biocompatibility, and relatively low treatment efficacy hamper its application in UM management. Herein, we developed a biocompatible CD44-targeting hyaluronic acid nanoparticle (HANP) carrying VP (HANP/VP) to improve UM treatment efficacy. We found that HANP/VP showed a stronger inhibitory effect on cell proliferation than that of free VP in UM cells. Systemic delivery of HANP/VP led to targeted accumulation in the UM-tumor-bearing mouse model. Notably, HANP/VP mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) significantly inhibited UM tumor growth after laser irradiation compared with no treatment or free VP treatment. Consistently, in HANP/VP treated tumors after laser irradiation, the tumor proliferation and YAP expression level were decreased, while the apoptotic tumor cell and CD8+ immune cell levels were elevated, contributing to effective tumor growth inhibition. Overall, the results of this preclinical study showed that HANP/VP is an effective nanomedicine for tumor treatment through PDT and inhibition of YAP in the UM tumor mouse model. Combining phototherapy and molecular-targeted therapy offers a promising approach for aggressive UM management.

Combined photodynamic therapy and transpupillary thermotherapy for small choroidal melanoma

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to determine whether combining verteporfin-based photodynamic therapy (PDT) and transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) achieves adequate tumour control while maintaining visual acuity in individuals with small choroidal melanoma of amelanotic, melanotic, and variable pigmentation.

DESIGN

Individuals with posterior choroidal melanomas up to 3 mm in height underwent verteporfin-based PDT followed by immediate TTT. Further combined laser therapy was performed if a poor response was noted at 12 weeks or beyond. Tumours that demonstrated significant further growth were treated with brachytherapy or enucleation. A total of 37 eyes of 37 patients from the Terrace Eye Centre in Brisbane, Australia were studied. Average age of participants was 59.62 ± 12.45 years, and 17 of 37 participants were female (46%).

METHODS

This was a retrospective, noncomparative interventional study.

RESULTS

Seven of the 37 participants (19%) had recurrence of their tumour requiring further brachytherapy or enucleation. There was no statistically significant difference in visual acuity before and after treatment. There were no baseline characteristics that predicted treatment outcome. Ten individuals developed complications including epiretinal membrane (16%), scotoma (8%), cataract (3%), and macular edema (3%). No individuals experienced extraocular extension or progressed to metastatic disease. The mean follow-up time was 49 months.

CONCLUSION

Combined PDT and TTT achieved 81% tumour control in this study while preserving visual acuity. However, higher rates of local recurrence compared with brachytherapy warrant close follow-up to identify recurrences early.

LONG TERM RESULTS OF PHOTODYNAMİC THERAPY IN INTRAOCULAR TUMORS

PURPOSE

To report long term results of photodynamic therapy (PDT) as treatment for intraocular tumors METHODS: Retrospective interventional case series of 15 patients. All patients treated with standard-fluence PDT (83 seconds; 50 J/cm2) using verteporfin.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Tumor diameter, tumor thickness, subretinal fluid resolution, best-corrected visual acuity,intraocular pressure and PDT complications.

RESULTS

10 patients (66.7% of total patients) were diagnosed with choroidal hemangioma, 3 patients (20% of total patients) were diagnosed with choroidal melanoma, and 2 patients (13,3% of total patients) were diagnosed with choroidal osteoma.. Mean follow-up time was 33±18 months. The mean visual acuity was determined as 1.29±0.98 logMAR in the examinations just before the PDT application. At the end of the follow-up period, the mean visual acuity was calculated as 1.41±1.07 logMAR. While VA increased in 3 (20%) patients and decreased in 5 (33.3%) patients; It was determined that VA value did not change after treatment in 7 (46.7%) patients. The mean lesion diameter before PDT was 6573 ±2115 µm (range; 1500-10000µm). The mean tumor thickness before PDT was 3624 ±1404 µm (range; 600-6000µm). The mean lesion diameter after treatment was 6026±2521 µm (range; 0-9000µm), and the mean tumor thickness after treatment was 2280 ±1740 µm (range; 0-6000 µm).After the PDT, tumor size decreased in 8 (53.3%) patients, increased in 3 (20%) patients, and no change in tumor size was observed in 4 (26.7%) patients. Mean IOP values ​​of all patients were 14.06±3.17 mmHg before treatment; after treatment, it was measured as 13.46±1.70 mmHg. After the treatment, geographic atrophy developed in 1 (6.7%) patient, cystoid macular edema developed in 1 (6.7%) patient, Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) and choroidal atrophy developed in 1 (6.7%) patient.

CONCLUSION

There are not enough cases of each to clearly distinguish between these 3 types of ocular cancers however PDT may be a good option in the treatment of intraocular tumors with the chance of selective treatment and successful responses in selected cases.

Clinical impact of the worldwide shortage of verteporfin (Visudyne®) on ophthalmic care

INTRODUCTION

Since July 2021, a worldwide shortage of verteporfin (Visudyne®) occurred: an essential medicine required for photodynamic therapy (PDT). PDT with verteporfin has a broad range of indications in ophthalmology, including chronic central serous chorioretinopathy, polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy and choroidal haemangioma. For these disorders, PDT is either the first-choice treatment or regarded as a major treatment option.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A questionnaire was sent to key opinion leaders in the field of medical retina throughout the world, to assess the role of PDT in their country and the effects of the shortage of verteporfin. In addition, information on the application of alternative treatments during shortage of verteporfin was obtained, to further assess the impact of the shortage.

RESULTS

Our questionnaire indicated that the shortage of verteporfin had a major impact on ophthalmic care worldwide and was regarded to be a serious problem by most of our respondents. However, even though there is ample evidence to support the use of PDT in several chorioretinal diseases, we found notable differences in its use in normal patient care throughout the world. Various alternative management strategies were noted during the verteporfin shortage, including lowering the dose of verteporfin per patient, the use of alternative treatment strategies and the use of a centralized system for allocating the remaining ampoules of verteporfin in some countries.

CONCLUSION

The shortage of verteporfin has had a large effect on the care of ophthalmic patients across the world and may have resulted in significant and irreversible vision loss. Mitigation strategies should be developed in consultation with all stakeholders to avoid future medication shortages of verteporfin and other unique ophthalmic medications. These strategies may include mandatory stock keeping, compulsory licensing to an alternative manufacturer or incentivizing the development of competition, for example through novel public-private partnerships.