Intravitreal Topotecan for Vitreous Seeds in Retinoblastoma: A Long-term Review of 91 Eyes.

PURPOSE: To study the long-term efficacy of intravitreal topotecan (IVT) for vitreous seeds in eyes with retinoblastoma and risk factors for their recurrence. DESIGN: Retrospective, non-comparative, interventional study. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety-one eyes of 90 patients with retinoblastoma treated between January 2013 and April 2019. METHODS: Patients with recurrent or refractory vitreous seeds after completion of intravenous or intra-arterial chemotherapy were treated with IVT (30 µg/0.15 ml) by the safety-enhanced technique. The injection was repeated every 4 weeks until the regression of seeds. Patients with a minimum follow-up of 12 months were included in the analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome measures were vitreous seed regression and eye salvage. Secondary outcomes were risk factors for vitreous seed recurrence after treatment with IVT, vision salvage, and complications of IVT. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 18 months, with most having group D (n = 58 [64%]) and group E (n = 26 [29%]) retinoblastoma. Vitreous seeds were refractory in 46 eyes (51%) and recurrent in 45 eyes (49%). A total of 317 IVT injections were administered, with the median being 3 injections. The median number of IVT injections required was 2.5 injections for dust, 3 injections for sphere, and 5 injections for cloud morphologic features. Recurrence of vitreous seeds after IVT was seen in 17 eyes (19%) at a mean follow-up of 7.9 months. At a mean follow-up 34 months, vitreous seed regression was achieved in 88 eyes (97%) and eye salvage was achieved in 77 eyes (85%). Older age (P = 0.018) and recurrence of retinal tumor (15/17 eyes; P < 0.01) significantly increased the risk of vitreous seed recurrence. Cataract was the most common complication seen in 17 eyes (9%). CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal topotecan at an every 3- to 4-week regimen is effective against both refractory and recurrent vitreous seeds. The vitreous seed morphologic features correspond to the number of injections required for regression. Increasing age and recurrence of retinal tumor increase the risk of vitreous seed recurrence after treatment with IVT. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Metastatic retinoblastoma at presentation: Clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes.

The aim of this study was to retrospectively determine clinical features, treatment outcomes, and overall survival in four patients with metastatic retinoblastoma at presentation. The mean age at diagnosis was 63 months (range: 24-108 months). Three patients had overt orbital disease of at least one eye and one patient had microscopic orbital disease with scleral infiltration on histopathology. Metastatic sites included regional lymph nodes (RLN) (n = 4), bone marrow (BM) (n = 2), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (n = 1). The most common sites of RLN were ipsilateral preauricular nodes (two patients) and contralateral parotid gland involvement (one patient). The treatment administered included primary enucleation (n = 1), high-dose intravenous chemotherapy (n = 4), secondary enucleation (n = 2), orbital external beam radiotherapy (n = 3), and intrathecal chemotherapy (n = 1). High-risk features included massive choroidal and microscopic scleral infiltration in the eye that underwent primary enucleation. At a mean follow-up of 33 months (range, 4-68 months), one patient with CSF involvement deceased in 4 months. The remaining three patients were alive and disease-free at the last mean follow-up period of 43 months (range, 18-68 months). The results of our study showed that RLN and BM metastasis respond well to treatment while CSF metastasis is associated with poor prognosis.

Does Multimodal Treatment Improve Eye and Life Salvage in Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Lacrimal Gland?

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of multimodal treatment in adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the lacrimal gland. METHODS: A retrospective comparative case series of 40 consecutive patients with ACC of the lacrimal gland without systemic metastasis at the initial presentation and primarily managed by one of the 3 treatment protocols-surgery + external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) (group 1), surgery + EBRT + adjuvant chemotherapy (group 2), and neoadjuvant chemotherapy + surgery + EBRT + adjuvant chemotherapy (multimodal treatment) (group 3) at a tertiary care ocular oncology center. Local tumor control, eye salvage, and systemic metastasis were the primary outcome measures. RESULTS: The age ranged from 11 to 72 (mean ± SD, 36 ± 13; median, 36) years with 26 (65%) male and 14 (35%) female patients. Twelve (30%) patients belonged to group 1, 8 (20%) to group 2, and 20 (50%) to group 3. Primary surgery included tumor excision in 36 (90%) and orbital exenteration in 4 (10%). Chemotherapy composed of cisplatin + 5 fluorouracil (5FU) for 6 cycles in 28 (70%) patients. Extended-field stereotactic EBRT with a dose of 5,000-6,000 cGy included the entire pretreatment extent of the tumor with a 10-mm margin all around, superior orbital fissure, inferior orbital fissure, cavernous sinus, and temporal fossa. Mean duration of follow up after completion of treatment was 58 ± 26 (range, 29-180; median, 60) months. In all, local tumor recurrence occurred in 10 (25%) patients at a mean of 38 ± 23 (range, 12-120; median, 24) months. Local tumor recurrence was noted in 5 (42%) patients in group 1, 2 (25%) in group 2, and 3 (15%) in group 3. Overall, eye salvage was possible in 34 (85%) patients, with visual acuity >20/40 in 28 (82%). Systemic metastasis occurred in 10 (25%) patients at a mean of 53 ± 28 (range, 12-120; median, 43) months. Eight (67%) patients in group 1, 1 (13%) in group 2, and 1 (5%) in group 3 developed systemic metastasis. Six (15%) overall, 5 (42%) in group 1 and 1 (13%) in group 2, died with systemic metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: Multimodal treatment with sequential neoadjuvant chemotherapy, followed by surgery, extended-field stereotactic EBRT, and adjuvant chemotherapy seems relatively more effective in providing local tumor control and eye salvage and in minimizing the risk of systemic metastasis in ACC of the lacrimal gland.

Primary orbital low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma - A case report.

An 18-year-old female presented with rapidly progressive proptosis of the left eye for one month and grade II relative afferent pupillary defect. Orbital imaging showed a well-defined homogenous extraconal mass in close relation to the lateral rectus muscle and extending up to the superior orbital fissure, associated with bony erosion. An incisional biopsy was performed, with the histopathology demonstrating stellate to spindle-shaped tumor cells (fibroblasts) embedded in a richly myxoid matrix. A diagnosis of low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma (LGFS) was made. The patient was treated by stereotactic external beam radiotherapy. Here, we report a case of LGFS which, to the best of our knowledge, is the first at an orbital location.

Eye salvage in diffuse anterior retinoblastoma using systemic chemotherapy with periocular and intravitreal topotecan.

Diffuse anterior retinoblastoma is an infrequent presentation in which the tumor is confined to the anterior segment, and there is no retinal mass. An 18-month-old Asian Indian boy presented with white spots in the left eye. There were extensive anterior segment seeds without a retinal tumor. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of retinoblastoma, and the patient received intravenous chemotherapy with a combination of vincristine-carboplatin-etoposide, periocular topotecan, and intravitreal topotecan to achieve complete tumor regression.

Intravitreal topotecan in the management of refractory and recurrent vitreous seeds in retinoblastoma.

BACKGROUND/AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal topotecan for refractory or recurrent vitreous seeds in retinoblastoma. METHODS: Intravitreal injection of topotecan hydrochloride (30 µg/0.15 mL) was provided every 3 weeks by the safety enhanced technique. RESULTS: The study included 17 consecutive patients with retinoblastoma with refractory or recurrent vitreous seeds. Five eyes (29%) belonged to International Classification of Retinoblastoma group C and 12 eyes (71%) belonged to group D. Primary treatment included triple drug intravenous chemotherapy for a mean of 10 cycles (median, 9 cycles; range, 6-18 cycles). Fifteen patients (88%) had undergone 56 periocular carboplatin injections with a mean of 4 injections (median, 3 injections; range, 1-8 injections), concurrent with intravenous chemotherapy. A total of 53 intravitreal topotecan injections were performed in 17 eyes of 17 consecutive patients with refractory or recurrent vitreous seeds with a mean of 3 injections (median, 3 injections; range, 2-6 injections). Complete regression of vitreous seeds was achieved in 17 of 17 eyes (100%). At a mean follow-up of 23.8 months (median, 24 months; range, 15.1-34.1 months), one eye (6%) with a recurrent retinal tumour needed enucleation, and the rest of the 16 eyes (94%) maintained complete regression. Final visual acuity could be reliably assessed in all 16 eyes (100%), of whom 12 eyes (75%) had visual acuity ≥20/200. None of the patients developed ocular or systemic complications. CONCLUSION: Three-weekly intravitreal topotecan appears effective and safe in controlling focal or diffuse refractory or recurrent vitreous seeds in retinoblastoma.

Aqueous Deficient Dry Eye Syndrome Post Orbital Radiotherapy: A 10-Year Retrospective Study.

PURPOSE: Despite advances in orbital radiotherapy (XRT), a significant proportion of patients develop ophthalmic complication like dry eye syndrome (DES). The study evaluates the prevalence of aqueous deficient DES (ADDE) and lacrimal gland (LG) changes through histologic evaluation and ex-vivo expansion potential postorbital XRT. METHODS: With the approval of the institutional review board, medical records of patients who underwent orbital XRT as management protocol were reviewed for evidence of ADDE using DEWS (Dry Eye Workshop) 2007 criteria (n = 51). HuLG was harvested from three of these patients who underwent subsequent orbital exenteration and used for histological studies/ex-vivo culture. RESULTS: ADDE was noted in 47.07% of the patients, status postorbital XRT, with a prediction of nearly 50% developing it within 0.5 to 2.9 years. ADDE severity was grade 2 (18%), grade 3 (14%), and grade 4 (17%). Other comorbidities were radiation retinopathy (33.4%), radiation-induced cataract (24.9%), and radiation keratopathy (20.8%). Multivariate and univariate analysis showed that fraction of radiation and dose of radiation/fraction were significant risk factors; male gender and young age were protective factors. The post-XRT exenterated HuLG showed near-total effacement of histoarchitecture with intra/periductal and intra/interlobular fibrosis, loss of acini, and reduced secretory activity. The potential of the LG to expand and grow in culture was impaired with loss of stem cells as compared to normal HuLG. CONCLUSION: This study documents that orbital-XRT is associated with morphological and functional loss of lacrimal function in nearly 50% of the patients with a prediction of two-third developing ADDE by the end of 5 years. TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE: The study provides objective clinical evidence for DES development due to architectural/functional damage to the LG postorbital XRT. Based on recent findings that the LG can be cultured in-vitro, with preservation of stem cells and secretory potential, it would be logical to harvest a portion of LG before radiation, and expand and transplant it to rescue the damaged gland if indicated.

Orbital retinoblastoma: An update.

Orbital extension is a major cause of death in children with retinoblastoma in the developing countries. Delayed detection and inappropriate management contribute to poor outcome. Conventional treatment including primary orbital exenteration or chemotherapy or radiotherapy alone result in mortality as high as 70%. The recent understanding on the role of sequential multimodal therapy with a combination of high-dose chemotherapy, followed by appropriate surgery, radiotherapy, and additional adjuvant chemotherapy has helped dramatically improve life salvage.

Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia in Papillon-Lefèvre Syndrome: Outcome at Long-Term Follow-Up of 12 Years.

PURPOSE: To discuss the association between ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) and Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome (PLS) and present the long-term outcome in a patient with these diseases. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: A 14-year-old boy presented with a raised pigmented mass lesion at the limbus in the right eye, which was clinically suggestive of OSSN. He also had palmoplantar hyperkeratosis and periodontosis suggestive of PLS. Excision biopsy of the lesion confirmed the diagnosis of OSSN. He was free of tumor recurrence for 2 years and was lost to follow-up thereafter. Seven years later, the patient presented with diffuse tumor recurrence with orbital extension in the right eye, regional lymph node metastasis, and ipsilateral parotid gland infiltration. The patient underwent exenteration of the right orbital contents, right parotidectomy, and radical neck dissection followed by concomitant external beam radiotherapy and systemic chemotherapy. Eleven years from initial presentation, the patient was detected to have OSSN in the contralateral eye and was managed by wide excision biopsy and adjuvant cryotherapy. One year after detection of OSSN in the left eye, the patient was found to have systemic metastases to the lungs and brain. The patient died of the disease within 3 months of detection of systemic metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: OSSN in PLS is associated with poor prognosis.

Choroidal Infiltration by Retinoblastoma: Predictive Clinical Features and Outcome.

PURPOSE: To identify the clinical features predictive of choroidal infiltration by retinoblastoma on histopathology and to report the outcome in these patients. METHODS: Retrospective study. RESULTS: Of the 403 patients who underwent primary enucleation for retinoblastoma, 113 patients had choroidal tumor infiltration and 290 patients had no choroidal tumor infiltration. There was a higher incidence of metastasis and related death in the choroidal tumor infiltration group compared to the no choroidal tumor infiltration group (4% vs 1%; P = .02). On multivariate analysis, the clinical features predictive of histopathologic massive choroidal infiltration included prolonged duration of symptoms for more than 6 months (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.04; P = .001) and secondary glaucoma (HR = 2.24; P = .005). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the patients with retinoblastoma with prolonged duration of symptoms (> 6 months) had a three-fold greater risk and those with secondary glaucoma at presentation had a two-fold greater risk of massive choroidal tumor infiltration. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2016;53(6):349-356.].

Neoadjuvant Systemic Chemotherapy in the Management of Extensive Eyelid Sebaceous Gland Carcinoma: A study of 10 Cases.

PURPOSE: To report the efficacy of neoadjuvant systemic chemotherapy in the management of eyelid sebaceous gland carcinoma (SGC). METHODS: Retrospective study of 10 patients that received neoadjuvant systemic chemotherapy (Cisplatin/Carboplatin and 5-Fluorouracil) for eyelid SGC. RESULTS: The mean age at presentation of eyelid SGC was 58 years (median, 55 years; range, 45 to 72 years). There were 6 females and 4 males. The mean tumor basal diameter was 36 mm (median, 31 mm, range, 20 to 65 mm), with orbital tumor extension in 9 cases. On the basis of TNM Classification, the tumors were classified as T3 (n = 10), N1 (n = 6), and M1 (n = 2). The mean number of cycles of neoadjuvant systemic chemotherapy per patient was 3 (median, 3; range, 3 to 4). The mean percentage reduction of tumor basal diameter after neoadjuvant chemotherapy was 74% (median, 80%; range, 30% to 100%). None of them had any major systemic side-effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Postchemotherapy, surgical treatment for residual tumor was performed in 7 cases. Five cases underwent excision biopsy and 2 cases with residual orbital component underwent eyelid-sparing orbital exenteration. No tumor recurrence was noted in any of the 7 cases at a mean follow-up period of 18 months (median, 14 months; range, 3 to 63 months). One patient died due to systemic metastasis. CONCLUSION: Neoadjuvant systemic chemotherapy is effective and safe in the management of eyelid sebaceous gland carcinoma.

OPTIC NERVE INFILTRATION BY RETINOBLASTOMA: Predictive Clinical Features and Outcome.

PURPOSE: To identify the clinical features predictive of any optic nerve infiltration and postlaminar optic nerve infiltration by retinoblastoma on histopathology and to report the outcome (metastasis and death) in these patients. METHODS: Retrospective study. RESULTS: Of the 403 patients who underwent primary enucleation for retinoblastoma, 196 patients had optic nerve tumor infiltration (Group 1) and 207 patients had no evidence of optic nerve tumor infiltration (Group 2). Group 1 included patients with prelaminar (n = 47; 24%), laminar (n = 74; 38%), and postlaminar tumor infiltration with or without involving optic nerve transection (n = 74; 38%). Comparing Group 1 and Group 2, the patients in Group 1 had prolonged duration of symptoms (>6 months) (16% vs. 8%; P = 0.02) and were associated with no vision at presentation (23% vs. 10%; P = 0.01), higher rates of secondary glaucoma (42% vs. 12%; P < 0.0001), iris neovascularization (39% vs. 23%; P < 0.001), and larger tumors (mean tumor thickness, 12.8 mm vs. 12 mm; P = 0.0001). There was a higher prevalence of metastasis in Group 1 than in Group 2 (4% vs. 0%; P = 0.006). On multivariate analysis, clinical features predictive of any optic nerve tumor infiltration secondary glaucoma (hazard ratio = 5.38; P < 0.001) and those predictive of postlaminar optic nerve tumor infiltration included iris neovascularization (hazard ratio = 2.66; P = 0.001) and secondary glaucoma (hazard ratio = 3.13; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In this study, clinical features predictive of any optic nerve tumor infiltration included secondary glaucoma and those predictive of postlaminar optic nerve tumor infiltration included iris neovascularization and secondary glaucoma. Despite adjuvant treatment in those with postlaminar optic nerve tumor infiltration, metastasis occurred in 8% of patients.

Orbital alveolar soft-part sarcoma: clinico-pathological profiles, management and outcomes.

AIM: To study the clinico-radiological and clinic-pathological features of orbital alveolar soft-part sarcomas (ASPS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrieved 9 cases of orbital ASPS. Histopathological and immunohistochemical features and clinico-radiological findings were evaluated. RESULTS: Age at presentation varied from 1 to 31 years. Both, children and adults were affected. Proptosis was the most common clinical presentation. PAS-positive diastase-resistant crystals and granules were found in all cases. All patients received adjuvant radiotherapy. Two cases had positive surgical margins and were treated with additional adjuvant chemotherapy. None of the patients had recurrence or metastases till the last follow up. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis with a multidisciplinary, multimodal approach of treatment is quintessential in achieving a long disease-free survival in patients with ASPS.

Management and outcome of retinoblastoma with vitreous seeds.

PURPOSE: To report the treatment response of retinoblastoma with vitreous seeds to high-dose chemotherapy coupled with periocular carboplatin. DESIGN: Retrospective, interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive patients with retinoblastoma with vitreous seeds managed over 10 years at a comprehensive ocular oncology center and followed up for at least 12 months after the completion of treatment were included in this study. Institutional review board approval was obtained. INTERVENTION: High-dose chemotherapy with a combination of vincristine, etoposide, and carboplatin in patients with focal vitreous seeds and additional concurrent periocular carboplatin in patients with diffuse vitreous seeds. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Tumor regression, vitreous seed regression, and eye salvage. RESULTS: After excluding the better eye of bilateral cases, 101 eyes of 101 patients were part of the final analysis. All the patients belonged to Reese-Ellsworth group VB, but on the International Classification of Retinoblastoma (ICRB), 21 were group C, 40 were group D, and 40 were group E. The mean basal diameter of the largest tumor was 11.8 ± 4.7 mm. Mean tumor thickness was 7.5 ± 4.0 mm. Vitreous seeds were focal in 21 eyes and diffuse in 80 eyes. Chemotherapy cycles ranged from 6 to 12 (median, 6). Seventy-three eyes with diffuse vitreous seeds received a 15-mg posterior sub-Tenon carboplatin injection (range, 1-13 mg; median, 6 mg). Follow-up duration ranged from 13.4 to 129.2 months (median, 48 months). External beam radiotherapy (EBRT) was necessary in 33 eyes with residual tumor, vitreous seeds, or both. In all, 20 eyes (95%) with ICRB group C retinoblastoma, 34 eyes (85%) with group D retinoblastoma, and 23 eyes (57.5%) with group E retinoblastoma were salvaged. Of 77 eyes that were salvaged, 74 (96%) had visual acuity of 20/200 or better. Twenty-four of 33 chemotherapy failures (73%) regressed with EBRT. None of the patients demonstrated second malignant neoplasm or systemic metastasis. Factors predicting tumor regression and eye salvage were bilateral retinoblastoma and absence of subretinal fluid. Factors predicting vitreous seed regression were absence of subretinal fluid and subretinal seeds. CONCLUSIONS: Intensive management with primary high-dose chemotherapy and concurrent periocular carboplatin, and EBRT selectively in chemotherapy failures, provides gratifying outcome in retinoblastoma with vitreous seeds.

Malignant teratoid ciliary body medulloepithelioma in a neonate.

Ciliary body medulloepithelioma is an intraocular tumor manifesting in early childhood, rarely at birth. A unique case of intraocular malignant teratoid ciliary body medulloepithelioma in a neonate presenting as buphthalmos at birth is reported. There was rapid progression with extraocular extension within 2 months and developed regional lymph node metastasis despite enucleation. The child underwent lymph node dissection and local radiotherapy with complete remission.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lacrimal gland: role of nuclear survivin (BIRC5) as a prognostic marker.

AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate the expression of nuclear survivin in adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the lacrimal gland and to determine if this expression is associated with histopathological features, markers of apoptosis and proliferation or clinical outcomes. METHODS AND RESULTS: Immunohistochemical staining for survivin, p53, Ki-67 and Bcl-2 was analyzed in 55 cases of ACC of lacrimal gland. Thirty-one cases (56.3%) expressed nuclear survivin. All cases expressed p53, Ki-67 and Bcl-2. Eleven cases (35.5%) had a high nuclear survivin score (NS-SCORE) and 20 cases (64.5%) had a low NS-SCORE. Cases with a high NS-SCORE had a shorter progression-free survival (PFS) (P < 0.0001), higher expression of Ki-67 (P < 0.005) and a solid tumour pattern >30% (P < 0.005). CONCLUSION: Nuclear expression of survivin impacts prognosis significantly and is thus a promising prognostic marker in ACC of the lacrimal gland.

Optic nerve meningeal hemangiopericytoma: a clinicopathologic case report.

A 36-year-old woman presented with progressive loss of vision in the left eye for 3 years, and rapid progression and painful protrusion of the eye for one month. Clinical evaluation revealed no light perception, severe proptosis and hypoglobus, optic atrophy, and optociliary shunt vessels. Orbital imaging showed a well-defined heterogeneous intraconal mass partially encasing the optic nerve. A clinical diagnosis of optic nerve sheath meningioma was made, and the tumor was completely excised along with enucleation, followed by postoperative adjuvant external beam radiotherapy. There was no local recurrence at 15 month follow-up. Histopathologically, the tumor was found to be arising from the optic nerve meninges with classical "stag-horn" pattern and abundant cellularity. Immunohistochemistry supported the histopathological diagnosis of hemangiopericytoma. Optic nerve meningeal hemangiopericytoma is extremely rare-only two such cases have been reported in the literature.

Establishing human lacrimal gland cultures with secretory function.

PURPOSE: Dry eye syndrome is a multifactorial chronic disabling disease mainly caused by the functional disruptions in the lacrimal gland. The treatment involves palliation like ocular surface lubrication and rehydration. Cell therapy involving replacement of the gland is a promising alternative for providing long-term relief to patients. This study aimed to establish functionally competent lacrimal gland cultures in-vitro and explore the presence of stem cells in the native gland and the established in-vitro cultures. METHODS: Fresh human lacrimal gland from patients undergoing exenteration was harvested for cultures after IRB approval. The freshly isolated cells were evaluated by flow cytometry for expression of stem cell markers ABCG2, high ALDH1 levels and c-kit. Cultures were established on Matrigel, collagen and HAM and the cultured cells evaluated for the presence of stem cell markers and differentiating markers of epithelial (E-cadherin, EpCAM), mesenchymal (Vimentin, CD90) and myofibroblastic (α-SMA, S-100) origin by flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry. The conditioned media was tested for secretory proteins (scIgA, lactoferrin, lysozyme) post carbachol (100 µM) stimulation by ELISA. RESULTS: Native human lacrimal gland expressed ABCG2 (mean±SEM: 3.1±0.61%), high ALDH1 (3.8±1.26%) and c-kit (6.7±2.0%). Lacrimal gland cultures formed a monolayer, in order of preference on Matrigel, collagen and HAM within 15-20 days, containing a heterogeneous population of stem-like and differentiated cells. The epithelial cells formed 'spherules' with duct like connections, suggestive of ductal origin. The levels of scIgA (47.43 to 61.56 ng/ml), lysozyme (24.36 to 144.74 ng/ml) and lactoferrin (32.45 to 40.31 ng/ml) in the conditioned media were significantly higher than the negative controls (p<0.05 for all comparisons). CONCLUSION: The study reports the novel finding of establishing functionally competent human lacrimal gland cultures in-vitro. It also provides preliminary data on the presence of stem cells and duct-like cells in the fresh and in-vitro cultured human lacrimal gland. These significant findings could pave way for cell therapy in future.

Orbital retinoblastoma: where do we go from here?

Diagnosis of orbital retinoblastoma traditionally carries a dismal prognosis. Although its incidence is less in the developed countries, it continues to contribute to an epidemic of extraocular disease at diagnosis in the developing world. Orbital retinoblastoma encompasses a wide range of distinct clinical entities with varying tumor load. There are no standard treatment protocols as of now but the current preferred management is multimodal with a combination of initial high-dose chemotherapy, surgery, external beam radiotherapy and prolonged chemotherapy for 12 cycles. Though orbital retinoblastoma is a catastrophic event, rapid advances on many fronts, especially the genetic, makes the future appear brighter than what it is now. This review looks at all the new frontiers that are in store in the near as well as the distant future. Looking at the ever expanding horizons makes one believe of a definite hope that one day we will conquer this disease as we have conquered many others in the past.