Targeted Therapy in Ophthalmic Oncology: The Current Status.

in Asia-Pacific journal of ophthalmology (Philadelphia, Pa.) by Mrittika Sen, Hakan Demirci, Santosh G Honavar

TLDR

  • The study is about using special drugs to treat eye cancer. These drugs target specific genetic mutations, pathways or proteins involved in the development of cancer. They are highly specific for tumor cells and preserve the function of normal cells. The study shows that these drugs are particularly useful for locally advanced or metastatic tumors and improve survival outcomes and better tolerability than chemotherapeutic drugs. However, the study also identifies limitations and suggests future research directions to further evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of these drugs.

Abstract

There have been rapid advancements in the field of ocular oncology for the diagnosis and management of intraocular, adnexal, and orbital tumors. Targeted therapy is in the forefront medical research in all fields including ocular oncology. Targeted therapy are drugs that target specific genetic mutations, pathways or proteins involved in the development of cancer. In contrast to traditionally used chemotherapy, drugs used in targeted therapy are highly specific for tumor cells and preserve the function of normal cells. This review aims to familiarize ophthalmologists with the drugs that are currently approved or undergoing clinical trials for use in ocular oncology. Targeted therapy is particularly useful for locally advanced or metastatic tumors, including but not limited to eyelid and periocular basal cell carcinoma, periocular cutaneous and conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma, ocular adnexal lymphoma, conjunctival melanoma, and uveal melanoma. The results are promising with improved survival outcomes and better tolerability than chemotherapeutic drugs.

Overview

  • The study focuses on the use of targeted therapy in the diagnosis and management of ocular oncology, including intraocular, adnexal, and orbital tumors. The hypothesis being tested is the effectiveness and safety of targeted therapy in ocular oncology compared to traditional chemotherapy. The methodology used for the experiment includes a review of current literature on targeted therapy in ocular oncology, including approved and clinical trial drugs. The primary objective of the study is to familiarize ophthalmologists with the drugs currently available or undergoing clinical trials for use in ocular oncology and their potential benefits and limitations.

Comparative Analysis & Findings

  • The study compares the outcomes observed under different experimental conditions or interventions, specifically the use of targeted therapy versus traditional chemotherapy in ocular oncology. The results show that targeted therapy is particularly useful for locally advanced or metastatic tumors, including eyelid and periocular basal cell carcinoma, periocular cutaneous and conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma, ocular adnexal lymphoma, conjunctival melanoma, and uveal melanoma. The study found that targeted therapy improves survival outcomes and better tolerability than chemotherapeutic drugs.

Implications and Future Directions

  • The study's findings have significant implications for the field of ocular oncology, as targeted therapy offers a promising alternative to traditional chemotherapy. However, the study also identifies limitations, such as the need for further research to determine the long-term efficacy and safety of targeted therapy. Future research directions could include clinical trials to evaluate the use of targeted therapy in combination with other treatments, as well as studies to investigate the potential side effects and toxicities of targeted therapy. Overall, the study highlights the importance of continued research and development in the field of ocular oncology to improve patient outcomes and advance the treatment of eye cancer.