The inhibitory Effects of Mitomycin-C on the Development of Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate the inhibitory effect of MMC on experimental PVR. METHODS: The cultured rabbit fibroblasts were pretreated with 3microgram/L and 300microgram/L concentration of MMC for 30 minutes. MMC-treated and -untreated fibroblasts were injected into vitreous cavity of pigmented rabbits and the development of PVR was compared each other. The retinal toxicity of MMC was evaluated histopathologically after 30 minutes-intravitreal infusion with the same concentration of MMC. RESULTS: On the final examination 8 weeks after intravitreal injection, the rate of PVR was 90%, 67%, and 20% in control group without MMC treatment, 3.0 microgram/L MMC-treated group, and 300 microgram/L MMC-treated group, respectively. The severity of PVR was milder in treatment groups than in non-treatment group in general, and the rate of PVR between control group and 300 microgram/L MMC-treated group was statistically significant (P<0.01). At 1 and 4 weeks of histopathologic study using the light and electromicroscopy to evaluate the retinal toxicity to MMC, the retina and retinal pigment epithelium showed similar findings in MMC-treated groups compared to non-MMC-treated control group. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that pharmacologic therapy with MMC may be useful in the prevention of development and recurrence of PVR in the management of complex retinal detachment.