Metastatic Death Based on Presenting Features and Treatment for Advanced Intraocular Retinoblastoma: A Multicenter Registry-Based Study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate presenting features, tumor size, and treatment methods for risk of metastatic death due to advanced intraocular retinoblastoma (RB). DESIGN: International, multicenter, registry-based retrospective case series. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1841 patients with advanced RB. METHODS: Advanced RB was defined by 8th edition American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) categories cT2 and cT3 and new AJCC-Ophthalmic Oncology Task Force (OOTF) Size Groups (1: < 50% of globe volume, 2: > 50% but < 2/3, 3: > 2/3, and 4: diffuse infiltrating RB). Treatments were primary enucleation, systemic chemotherapy with secondary enucleation, and systemic chemotherapy with eye salvage. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Metastatic death. RESULTS: The 5-year Kaplan-Meier cumulative survival estimates by patient-level AJCC clinical subcategories were 98% for cT2a, 96% for cT2b, 88% for cT3a, 95% for cT3b, 92% for cT3c, 84% for cT3d, and 75% for cT3e RB. Survival estimates by treatment modality were 96% for primary enucleation, 89% for systemic chemotherapy and secondary enucleation, and 90% for systemic chemotherapy with eye salvage. Risk of metastatic mortality increased with increasing cT subcategory (P < 0.001). Cox proportional hazards regression analysis confirmed a higher risk of metastatic mortality in categories cT3c (glaucoma, hazard ratio [HR], 4.9; P = 0.011), cT3d (intraocular hemorrhage, HR, 14.0; P < 0.001), and cT3e (orbital cellulitis, HR, 19.6; P < 0.001) than in category cT2a and with systemic chemotherapy with secondary enucleation (HR, 3.3; P < 0.001) and eye salvage (HR, 4.9; P < 0.001) than with primary enucleation. The 5-year Kaplan-Meier cumulative survival estimates by AJCC-OOTF Size Groups 1 to 4 were 99%, 96%, 94%, and 83%, respectively. Mortality from metastatic RB increased with increasing Size Group (P < 0.001). Cox proportional hazards regression analysis revealed that patients with Size Group 3 (HR, 10.0; P = 0.002) and 4 (HR, 41.1; P < 0.001) had a greater risk of metastatic mortality than Size Group 1. CONCLUSIONS: The AJCC-RB cT2 and cT3 subcategories and size-based AJCC-OOTF Groups 3 (> 2/3 globe volume) and 4 (diffuse infiltrating RB) provided a robust stratification of clinical risk for metastatic death in advanced intraocular RB. Primary enucleation offered the highest survival rates for patients with advanced intraocular RB.

High-risk Pathologic Features Based on Presenting Findings in Advanced Intraocular Retinoblastoma: A Multicenter, International Data-Sharing American Joint Committee on Cancer Study.

PURPOSE: To determine the value of clinical features for advanced intraocular retinoblastoma as defined by the eighth edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) cT3 category and AJCC Ophthalmic Oncology Task Force (OOTF) Size Groups to predict the high-risk pathologic features. DESIGN: International, multicenter, registry-based retrospective case series. PARTICIPANTS: Eighteen ophthalmic oncology centers from 13 countries over 6 continents shared evaluations of 942 eyes enucleated as primary treatment for AJCC cT3 and, for comparison, cT2 retinoblastoma. METHODS: International, multicenter, registry-based data were pooled from patients enrolled between 2001 and 2013. High-risk pathologic features were defined as AJCC categories pT3 and pT4. In addition, AJCC OOTF Size Groups were defined as follows: (1) less than half, (2) more than half but less than two thirds, (3) more than two thirds of globe volume involved, and (4) diffuse infiltrating retinoblastoma. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Statistical risk of high-risk pathologic features corresponding to AJCC cT3 subcategories and AJCC OOTF Size Groups. RESULTS: Of 942 retinoblastoma eyes treated by primary enucleation, 282 (30%) showed high-risk pathologic features. Both cT subcategories and AJCC OOTF Size Groups (P < 0.001 for both) were associated with high-risk pathologic features. On logistic regression analysis, cT3c (iris neovascularization with glaucoma), cT3d (intraocular hemorrhage), and cT3e (aseptic orbital cellulitis) were predictive factors for high-risk pathologic features when compared with cT2a with an odds ratio of 2.3 (P = 0.002), 2.5 (P = 0.002), and 3.3 (P = 0.019), respectively. Size Group 3 (more than two-thirds globe volume) and 4 (diffuse infiltrative retinoblastoma) were the best predictive factors with an odds ratio of 3.3 and 4.1 (P < 0.001 for both), respectively, for high-risk pathologic features when compared with Size Groups 1 (i.e., < 50% of globe volume). CONCLUSIONS: The AJCC retinoblastoma staging clinical cT3c-e subcategories (glaucoma, intraocular hemorrhage, and aseptic orbital cellulitis, respectively) as well as the AJCC OOTF Size Groups 3 (tumor more than two thirds of globe volume) and 4 (diffuse infiltrative retinoblastoma) both allowed stratification of clinical risk factors that can be used to predict the presence of high-risk pathologic features and thus facilitate treatment decisions.

Global Retinoblastoma Treatment Outcomes: Association with National Income Level.

PURPOSE: To compare metastasis-related mortality, local treatment failure, and globe salvage after retinoblastoma in countries with different national income levels. DESIGN: International, multicenter, registry-based retrospective case series. PARTICIPANTS: Two thousand one hundred ninety patients, 18 ophthalmic oncology centers, and 13 countries on 6 continents. METHODS: Multicenter registry-based data were pooled from retinoblastoma patients enrolled between January 2001 and December 2013. Adequate data to allow American Joint Committee on Cancer staging, eighth edition, and analysis for the main outcome measures were available for 2085 patients. Each country was classified by national income level, as defined by the 2017 United Nations World Population Prospects, and included high-income countries (HICs), upper middle-income countries (UMICs), and lower middle-income countries (LMICs). Patient survival was estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method. Logistic and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to determine associations between national income and treatment outcomes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Metastasis-related mortality and local treatment failure (defined as use of secondary enucleation or external beam radiation therapy). RESULTS: Most (60%) study patients resided in UMICs and LMICs. The global median age at diagnosis was 17.0 months and higher in UMICs (20.0 months) and LMICs (20.0 months) than HICs (14.0 months; P < 0.001). Patients in UMICs and LMICs reported higher rates of disease-specific metastasis-related mortality and local treatment failure. As compared with HICs, metastasis-related mortality was 10.3-fold higher for UMICs and 9.3-fold higher for LMICs, and the risk for local treatment failure was 2.2-fold and 1.6-fold higher, respectively (all P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This international, multicenter, registry-based analysis of retinoblastoma management revealed that lower national income levels were associated with significantly higher rates of metastasis-related mortality, local treatment failure, and lower globe salvage.

A Multicenter, International Collaborative Study for American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging of Retinoblastoma: Part I: Metastasis-Associated Mortality.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the ability of the 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Cancer Staging Manual to estimate metastatic and mortality rates for children with retinoblastoma (RB). DESIGN: International, multicenter, registry-based retrospective case series. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 2190 patients from 18 ophthalmic oncology centers from 13 countries over 6 continents. METHODS: Patient-specific data fields for RB were designed and selected by subcommittee. All patients with RB with adequate records to allow tumor staging by the AJCC criteria and follow-up for metastatic disease were studied. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Metastasis-related 5- and 10-year survival data after initial tumor staging were estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method depending on AJCC clinical (cTNM) and pathological (pTNM) tumor, node, metastasis category and age, tumor laterality, and presence of heritable trait. RESULTS: Of 2190 patients, the records of 2085 patients (95.2%) with 2905 eyes were complete. The median age at diagnosis was 17.0 months. A total of 1260 patients (65.4%) had unilateral RB. Among the 2085 patients, tumor categories were cT1a in 55 (2.6%), cT1b in 168 (8.1%), cT2a in 197 (9.4%), cT2b in 812 (38.9%), cT3 in 835 (40.0%), and cT4 in 18 (0.9%). Of these, 1397 eyes in 1353 patients (48.1%) were treated with enucleation. A total of 109 patients (5.2%) developed metastases and died. The median time (n = 92) from diagnosis to metastasis was 9.50 months. The 5-year Kaplan-Meier cumulative survival estimates by clinical tumor categories were 100% for category cT1a, 98% (95% confidence interval [CI], 97-99) for cT1b and cT2a, 96% (95% CI, 95-97) for cT2b, 89% (95% CI, 88-90) for cT3 tumors, and 45% (95% CI, 31-59) for cT4 tumors. Risk of metastasis increased with increasing cT (and pT) category (P < 0.001). Cox proportional hazards regression analysis confirmed a higher risk of metastasis in category cT3 (hazard rate [HR], 8.09; 95% CI, 2.55-25.70; P < 0.001) and cT4 (HR, 48.55; 95% CI, 12.86-183.27; P < 0.001) compared with category cT1. Age, tumor laterality, and presence of heritable traits did not influence the incidence of metastatic disease. CONCLUSIONS: Multicenter, international, internet-based data sharing facilitated analysis of the 8th edition AJCC RB Staging System for metastasis-related mortality and offered a proof of concept yielding quantitative, predictive estimates per category in a large, real-life, heterogeneous patient population with RB.

A Multicenter, International Collaborative Study for American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging of Retinoblastoma: Part II: Treatment Success and Globe Salvage.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the ability of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 8th edition to predict local tumor control and globe salvage for children with retinoblastoma (RB). DESIGN: International, multicenter, registry-based retrospective case series. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 2854 eyes of 2097 patients from 18 ophthalmic oncology centers from 13 countries over 6 continents. METHODS: International, multicenter, registry-based data were pooled from patients enrolled between January 2001 and December 2013. All RB eyes with adequate records to allow tumor staging by the AJCC 8th edition criteria and follow-up to ascertain treatment outcomes were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Globe-salvage rates were estimated by AJCC clinical (cTNMH) categories and tumor laterality. Local treatment failure was defined as use of enucleation or external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), with or without plaque brachytherapy or intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC). RESULTS: Unilateral RB occurred in 1340 eyes (47%). Among the 2854 eyes, tumor categories were cT1 to cT4 in 696 eyes (24%), 1334 eyes (47%), 802 eyes (28%), and 22 eyes (1%), respectively. Of these, 1275 eyes (45%) were salvaged, and 1179 eyes (41%) and 400 eyes (14%) underwent primary and secondary enucleation, respectively. The 2- and 5-year Kaplan-Meier cumulative globe-salvage rates without the use of EBRT by cTNMH categories were 97% and 96% for category cT1a tumors, 94% and 88% for cT1b tumors, 68% and 60% for cT2a tumors, 66% and 57% for cT2b tumors, and 32% and 25% for cT3 tumors, respectively. Risk of local treatment failure increased with increasing cT category (P < 0.001). Cox proportional hazards regression analysis confirmed a higher risk of local treatment failure in categories cT1b (hazard ratio [HR], 3.5; P = 0.004), cT2a (HR, 15.1; P < 0.001), cT2b (HR, 16.4; P < 0.001), and cT3 (HR, 45.0; P < 0.001) compared with category cT1a. Use of plaque brachytherapy and IAC improved local tumor control in categories cT1a (P = 0.031) and cT1b (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Multicenter, international, internet-based data sharing validated the 8th edition AJCC RB staging to predict globe-salvage in a large, heterogeneous, real-world patient population with RB.

Ocular preservation in patients with bilateral retinoblastoma before chemotherapy in situ era: A report from a Mexican Retinoblastoma Reference Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Bilateral retinoblastoma (Rb) treatment remains a challenge for ophthalmologists and pediatric oncologists despite new therapeutic strategies for eye preservation. The purpose of this work is to evaluate treatment outcomes in patients who underwent eye salvage treatment at a single-center prior to the chemotherapy in situ era. PROCEDURE: We followed a cohort of 88 consecutive Rb patients diagnosed at Hospital Infantil de México between November 2000 and June 2014. Eye salvage treatment consisted of systemic chemotherapy plus focal therapy planned by a multidisciplinary team. Unresponsive tumors were treated with episcleral brachytherapy and external beam radiotherapy (EBRT). RESULTS: A total of 96 eyes underwent eye salvaging therapy. Seventy-eight eyes (81%) were salvaged. Seven patients (8%) required brachytherapy and 34 patients (39%) underwent EBRT. Thirty-three of 78 preserved eyes (42%) achieved normal visual acuity: 5/27 (20%) in radiated patients and 28/51 (61%) in nonradiated patients. Eight patients developed secondary primary malignancies; however, those treated with EBRT did not have a significantly increased risk when compared with nonirradiated patients (OR: 1.66; P = 0.492). The overall survival rate was 86% (95% CI, 76%-92%) after a mean follow-up of 10 years. CONCLUSIONS: Eye preservation, long-term tumor control, and functional visual acuity could be maintained in many child and adolescent Rb survivors. Our data suggest that ocular radiotherapy can be used as consolidation treatment when other recently developed therapies with potentially fewer side effects are not available. Multidisciplinary management of Rb is mandatory to obtain cancer control during eye salvage treatment.

Case series of infants presenting with end stage retinopathy of prematurity to two tertiary eye care facilities in Mexico: underlying reasons for late presentation.

To describe the characteristics of infants with bilateral Stage 4b or 5 ROP (i.e. with subtotal or total retinal detachment) who presented to eye departments in two major cities in Mexico, to identify reasons why they may have become blind in order to recommend how programs could be improved. A large case-series of infants with Stage 4b or 5 ROP in both eyes confirmed by ultrasound who attended the ROP Clinic, Hospital Civil de Guadalajara from September 2010 to November 2012, and the Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Infantil de Mexico Federico Gomez from December 2011 to December 2012 were identified from the diagnostic databases of each hospital. Mothers of infants in Guadalajara had a telephone interview. 89/94 eligible infants were included in the study, 48 in Guadalajara and 41 in Mexico City. Cases came from 22 of the 32 states in Mexico. Half of the infants attending Guadalajara 24/48 (50 %) had been cared for in NICUs without ROP screening programs and were not examined. Among the 24 infants cared for in NICUs with ROP programs, 7/24 (29.1 %) mothers reported that their infant had not been examined while in the NICU, and a further 9/24 (37.5 %) were either not referred for screening after discharge or they did not attend. Two infants had failed laser treatment. Strategies and resources to prevent end stage ROP have not been firmly established in Mexico. There is an urgent need to expand the coverage and quality of ROP programs, to ensure that existing screening guidelines are better adhered to, and to improve communication with parents.

Risk of retinoblastoma is associated with a maternal polymorphism in dihydrofolatereductase (DHFR) and prenatal folic acid intake.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of unilateral retinoblastoma varies globally, suggesting possible environmental contributors to disease incidence. Maternal intake of naturally occurring folate from vegetables during pregnancy is associated inversely with the risk of retinoblastoma in offspring. METHODS: The authors used a case-control study design to examine the association between retinoblastoma risk and maternal variations in the folate-metabolizing genes methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) (a cytosine-to-thymine substitution at nucleotide 677 [MTHFR677C→T]; reference single nucleotide polymorphism rs1801133) and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) (a 19-base-pair deletion of intron 1a [DHFR19bpdel]; rs70991108). In central Mexico, 103 mothers of children with newly diagnosed unilateral retinoblastoma were enrolled in an institutional review board-approved study along with a control group of 97 mothers who had healthy children. Mothers were interviewed regarding perinatal characteristics, including use of prenatal vitamin supplements, and gave peripheral blood samples, which were used for polymerase chain reaction-based genotyping of rs1801133 and rs70991108. RESULTS: The risk of having a child with unilateral retinoblastoma was associated with maternal homozygosity for DHFR19bpdel (odds ratio, 3.78; 95% confidence interval, 1.89-7.55; P = .0002), even after controlling for the child's DHFR19bpdel genotype (odds ratio, 2.81; 95% confidence interval, 1.32-5.99; P = .0073). In a subgroup of 167 mothers with data on prenatal intake of supplements containing folic acid (a synthetic form of folate), DHFR19bpdel-associated risk was elevated significantly only among those who reported taking folic acid supplements. Maternal MTHFR genotype was unrelated to the risk of having a child with retinoblastoma. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal homozygosity for a polymorphism in the DHFR gene necessary for converting synthetic folic acid into biologic folate was associated with an increased risk for retinoblastoma. Prenatal ingestion of synthetic folic acid supplements may be associated with increased risk for early childhood carcinogenesis in a genetically susceptible subset of the population.

Sunlight exposure in infancy decreases risk of sporadic retinoblastoma, extent of intraocular disease.

BACKGROUND: Prior ecologic studies suggest that UV exposure through sunlight to the retina might contribute to increased retinoblastoma incidence. AIMS: Our study objectives were (1) to examine the relationship between exposure to sunlight during postnatal retinal development (prior to diagnosis of sporadic disease) and the risk of retinoblastoma, and (2) to examine the relationship between sun exposure during postnatal retinal development, and the extent of disease among children with unilateral and bilateral retinoblastoma. METHODS AND RESULTS: We interviewed 511 mothers in the EpiRbMx case-control study about their child's exposure to sunlight during postnatal retinal cell division by examining three time periods prior to Rtb diagnosis coinciding with developmental stages in which outdoor activities vary. Weekly sun exposure was compared by age period, between unilateral (n = 259), bilateral (n = 120), and control (n = 132) children, accounting for two factors affecting UV exposure: residential elevation and reported use of coverings to shield eyes. For cases, association between sunlight exposure and clinical stage was examined by laterality at each age period. After adjusting for maternal education and elevation, sun exposure was lower in cases than controls in all three age periods especially during the first 6 months, and in children 12-23 months whose mothers did not cover their eyes when outdoors. In children diagnosed after 12 months of age, sun exposure during the second year of life (age 12-23 months) appeared inversely correlated (r = -0.25) with more advanced intraocular disease in bilateral Rtb children after adjusting for maternal education, residential elevation, and age of diagnosis (p < .09) consistent with effects of Vitamin D exposure on intraocular spread in earlier transgenic murine models of retinoblastoma, and suggesting potential chemopreventive strategies. CONCLUSION: Sun exposure in early childhood is protective for retinoblastoma and may decrease degree of intraocular spread in children with bilateral Rtb.

Pediatric penetrating keratoplasty and graft rejection: experience at the Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez.

Background: Penetrating keratoplasty (PK) is a challenging surgical ocular procedure indicated for some pediatric patients with vision-threatening corneal disease damage. Pediatric PK is reserved for cases with advanced pathology or dysfunction as rejection and failure rates greatly supersede the rates of adult PK. The objective was to identify factors associated with graft rejection and failure amongst Mexican children undergoing primary PK for different indications. Methods: A retrospective review of consecutive pediatric PK medical records was conducted between 2001 and 2015 at the Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez. Graft survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier survival method. Results: During the 15 years of study, 67 eyes of 57 patients underwent PK. The mean age at the time of surgery was 11 years. The mean follow-up duration was 44 months. Keratoconus was the most common indication for PK (61%) followed by herpetic keratitis (15%) and other corneal dystrophies (10%). Mean graft survival time was 45.6 months (95% confidence interval 31.8-58.4 months, standard deviation = 0.069), with a survival rate of 70% at 1 year. Univariate Cox proportional hazard showed that being < 9 years of age at the time of the surgery (p = 0.023) and corneal dystrophies (p = 0.04) were prognostic factors for corneal rejection. Five eyes of five patients developed graft failure. Conclusions: Pediatric PK patients commonly experience graft rejection, which need to be promptly diagnosed and treated to minimize permanent damage. The age at the time of surgery and congenital corneal opacities is factors associated with a higher risk of rejection and failure.

Introducción: La queratoplastia penetrante (QP) es un procedimiento quirúrgico indicado en algunos pacientes pediátricos con daño corneal con riesgo de fracaso que amenaza la visión. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue identificar los factores asociados a rechazo y fallo del injerto corneal en niños sometidos a QP. Métodos: Serie de casos de pacientes sometidos a QP en el Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez entre 2001 y 2015. La sobrevida del injerto fue calculada por el método de estimación de la función de supervivencia Kaplan­Meier. Resultados: Durante 15 años de estudio, 67 ojos de 57 pacientes fueron sometidos a QP. El promedio de edad de los pacientes al tiempo de la cirugía fue de 11 años. El seguimiento promedio fue de 44 meses. El queratocono fue la indicación más común de QP (61%), seguido de queratitis herpética (15%) y otras distrofias corneales (10%). El tiempo promedio de sobrevida fue 45.6% (intervalo de confianza [IC] 95%: 31.8-58.4 meses, desviación estándar [DS] = 0.069), con una tasa de sobrevida del 70% a 1 año. El riesgo proporcional de Cox univariado mostró que una edad < 9 años al momento de la cirugía (p = 0.023) y distrofias corneales (p = 0.04) son factores pronóstico para el rechazo corneal. Cinco ojos de cinco pacientes desarrollaron falla del injerto. Conclusiones: El rechazo del injerto en QP en pacientes pediátricos es común y puede ser resuelto satisfactoriamente en casi todos los casos con diagnóstico y tratamiento. La edad al momento de la cirugía y las opacidades corneales congénitas son factores asociados con el rechazo y fallo.

Randomised equivalency trial comparing 2.5% povidone-iodine eye drops and ophthalmic chloramphenicol for preventing neonatal conjunctivitis in a trachoma endemic area in southern Mexico.

AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of 2.5% povidone-iodine eye drops (PIED) compared with ophthalmic chloramphenicol (OC) for preventing neonatal conjunctivitis. METHODS: 2004 neonates were enrolled from three rural hospitals in a trachoma endemic area. They were randomly assigned to receive either PIED (n = 1024) or OC (n = 974). Infectious conjunctivitis was confirmed by laboratory methods, including specific search for Chlamydia trachomatis by polymerase chain reaction assay. RESULTS: During the first 48 hours after birth, PIED and OC had similar efficacy against bacterial conjunctivitis (95% confidence interval (CI), -0.031 to -0.004; p = 0.01); from day 3 to day 15, PIED was 6% less effective than OC (95% CI, -0.058 to -0.006; p = 0.01); after day 16 there was no significant difference between the groups (95% CI, -0.022 to 0.041; p = 0.57). However, the risk of C trachomatis conjunctivitis was increased in neonates receiving PIED prophylaxis (relative risk = 1.99 (95% CI, 1.07 to 3.71), log-rank p = 0.029). Ocular side effects were rare and self limiting in both groups (p = 0.223). CONCLUSIONS: PIED seems to increase the risk of acquiring chlamydial conjunctivitis in neonates. Additional measures are required to prevent mother to fetus transmission of chlamydial infection during pregnancy, delivery, and after birth.

Isolated bilateral posterior scleritis after eye trauma.

Posterior scleritis is an unusual disease that may cause serious ocular inflammation and potentially blinding consequences. To date, there are few cases of isolated posterior scleritis in children described in the literature. We report an unusual case of recurrent bilateral posterior scleritis after direct blunt trauma to the postequatorial aspect of the eye successfully controlled with long-term steroids and immunosuppressive therapy.

Systematic review of the current status of programs and general knowledge of diagnosis and management of retinoblastoma.

BACKGROUND: This systematic review aims to report the current knowledge of retinoblastoma (Rb) and its implications in Mexico. We analyzed clinical and demographic data of patients with Rb at select hospitals with Rb programs or that treat and refer patients with Rb, and identified the gaps in practice. We propose solutions to improve diagnosis, provide adequate treatment, and improve patient uptake. METHODS: A general review was conducted on PubMed of peer-reviewed literature on Rb in Mexico. Ophthalmology Department Heads or Directors of Rb programs at seven hospitals in Mexico were contacted for data available on their patients with Rb. RESULTS: Five hospitals provided clinical data on 777 patients with Rb in a period spanning 2000-2015. Of the 122 patients with treatment, 83.4% underwent enucleation. From 33 to 45.3% of Rb tumors in Mexico reach an advanced intraocular stage of development. Knowledge of the disease is limited, despite the fact that the Mexican Retinoblastoma Group has elaborated Rb treatment guidelines and is developing a national Rb registry. Especially in the Southern states, prevalence and outcomes are comparable to African and Asian countries, and only few patients are referred to national treatment centers. Only three institutions have comprehensive Rb programs. CONCLUSIONS: There is an immediate need in Mexico to expand primary care providers' knowledge of Rb and to expand and upgrade current Rb programs to meet the needs of the population adequately. Diagnosis and care of Rb patients in Mexico can also be improved by the establishment of a national Rb registry and a national early detection program, and by increased use of the national treatment protocol.

An international survey of classification and treatment choices for group D retinoblastoma.

AIM: To determine which IIRC scheme was used by retinoblastoma centers worldwide and the percentage of D eyes treated primarily with enucleation versus globe salvaging therapies as well as to correlate trends in treatment choice to IIRC version used and geographic region. METHODS: An anonymized electronic survey was offered to 115 physicians at 39 retinoblastoma centers worldwide asking about IIRC classification schemes and treatment patterns used between 2008 and 2012. Participants were asked to record which version of the IIRC was used for classification, how many group D eyes were diagnosed, and how many eyes were treated with enucleation versus globe salvaging therapies. Averages of eyes per treatment modality were calculated and stratified by both IIRC version and geographic region. Statistical significance was determined by Chi-square, ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests using Prism. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 29% of physicians invited to participate. Totally 1807 D eyes were diagnosed. Regarding IIRC system, 27% of centers used the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles (CHLA) version, 33% used the Children's Oncology Group (COG) version, 23% used the Philadelphia version, and 17% were unsure. The rate for primary enucleation varied between 0 and 100% and the mean was 29%. By IIRC version, primary enucleation rates were: Philadelphia, 8%; COG, 34%; and CHLA, 37%. By geographic region, primary enucleation rates were: Latin America, 57%; Asia, 40%; Europe, 36%; Africa, 10%, US, 8%; and Middle East, 8%. However, systemic chemoreduction was used more often than enucleation in all regions except Latin America with a mean of 57% per center (P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Worldwide there is no consensus on which IIRC version is used, systemic chemoreduction was the most frequently used initial treatment during the study period followed by enucleation and primary treatment modality, especially enucleation, varied greatly with regards to IIRC version used and geographic region.

Minimal Disseminated Disease in Nonmetastatic Retinoblastoma With High-Risk Pathologic Features and Association With Disease-Free Survival.

IMPORTANCE: Fatal metastatic relapse may occur in children with retinoblastoma and high-risk pathologic features (HRPFs). Minimal dissemination (MD) may be an additional tool for risk estimation. The use of cone-rod homeobox (CRX) transcription factor messenger RNA for MD evaluation in metastatic retinoblastoma was previously reported, but no data in nonmetastatic cases with HRPFs are available. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether MD is detectable in patients with nonmetastatic retinoblastoma and to assess its prognostic effect on disease-free survival (DFS). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This single-institution cohort study of patients with nonmetastatic retinoblastoma and HRPFs used prospectively defined inclusion criteria and a sampling strategy to procure bone marrow (BM) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from May 1, 2007, through October 31, 2013. Median follow-up was 38 months (range, 8-89 months). Survival analysis was closed in December 2015, and no further updates were made after that point. INTERVENTIONS: The study evaluated CRX messenger RNA by quantitative polymerase chain reaction in BM and CSF at diagnosis and follow-up. In 14 patients, GD2 synthase was used instead of CRX for CSF evaluation. Patients were treated under uniform guidelines. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Metastatic relapse. RESULTS: The study included 96 children (median age at study inclusion, 26 months; range, 1-168 months; 46 male [47.9%]; 50 female [52.1%]) with nonmetastatic retinoblastoma and HRPFs (isolated massive choroidal invasion in 14, postlaminar optic nerve invasion in 51 [26 with concomitant massive choroidal and 13 with scleral invasion], 12 with scleral invasion without postlaminar optic nerve invasion, and 7 with tumor at the resection margin of the optic nerve) were evaluated at the time of primary or secondary enucleation. Minimal dissemination was detected in 9 patients (7 BM samples and 2 CSF samples) and was associated with extension beyond the resection margin of the optic nerve and scleral involvement, but only the former was independently associated (adjusted odds ratio, 57.0; 95% CI, 4.8-678.2; P = .001). In addition, MD occurred in 8 of the 43 International Intraocular Retinoblastoma Classification group E eyes with glaucoma (18.6%) and in 8 of 80 (10%) and 1 of 16 children (6.3%) who underwent primary or secondary enucleation, respectively. Children with MD had a 3-year DFS of 0.78 compared with 0.98 in those without MD (95% CI for the difference in DFS, 0.17-0.23; P = .004). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: These findings identified a high-risk population of children with retinoblastoma and HRPFs with MD. Because the number of events was small, these results, which suggest that children with International Intraocular Retinoblastoma Classification group E retinoblastoma and glaucoma have a higher risk of MD at diagnosis, should not be considered definitive at this time.

Pediatric penetrating keratoplasty and graft rejection: experience at the Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez / Queratoplastia penetrante pediátrica y rechazo corneal: experiencia en el Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez

Abstract Background: Penetrating keratoplasty (PK) is a challenging surgical ocular procedure indicated for some pediatric patients with vision-threatening corneal disease damage. Pediatric PK is reserved for cases with advanced pathology or dysfunction as rejection and failure rates greatly supersede the rates of adult PK. The objective was to identify factors associated with graft rejection and failure amongst Mexican children undergoing primary PK for different indications. Methods: A retrospective review of consecutive pediatric PK medical records was conducted between 2001 and 2015 at the Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez. Graft survival was calculated using the Kaplan–Meier survival method. Results: During the 15 years of study, 67 eyes of 57 patients underwent PK. The mean age at the time of surgery was 11 years. The mean follow-up duration was 44 months. Keratoconus was the most common indication for PK (61%) followed by herpetic keratitis (15%) and other corneal dystrophies (10%). Mean graft survival time was 45.6 months (95% confidence interval 31.8-58.4 months, standard deviation = 0.069), with a survival rate of 70% at 1 year. Univariate Cox proportional hazard showed that being < 9 years of age at the time of the surgery (p = 0.023) and corneal dystrophies (p = 0.04) were prognostic factors for corneal rejection. Five eyes of five patients developed graft failure. Conclusions: Pediatric PK patients commonly experience graft rejection, which need to be promptly diagnosed and treated to minimize permanent damage. The age at the time of surgery and congenital corneal opacities is factors associated with a higher risk of rejection and failure.

Resumen Introducción: La queratoplastia penetrante (QP) es un procedimiento quirúrgico indicado en algunos pacientes pediátricos con daño corneal con riesgo de fracaso que amenaza la visión. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue identificar los factores asociados a rechazo y fallo del injerto corneal en niños sometidos a QP. Métodos: Serie de casos de pacientes sometidos a QP en el Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez entre 2001 y 2015. La sobrevida del injerto fue calculada por el método de estimación de la función de supervivencia Kaplan–Meier. Resultados: Durante 15 años de estudio, 67 ojos de 57 pacientes fueron sometidos a QP. El promedio de edad de los pacientes al tiempo de la cirugía fue de 11 años. El seguimiento promedio fue de 44 meses. El queratocono fue la indicación más común de QP (61%), seguido de queratitis herpética (15%) y otras distrofias corneales (10%). El tiempo promedio de sobrevida fue 45.6% (intervalo de confianza [IC] 95%: 31.8-58.4 meses, desviación estándar [DS] = 0.069), con una tasa de sobrevida del 70% a 1 año. El riesgo proporcional de Cox univariado mostró que una edad < 9 años al momento de la cirugía (p = 0.023) y distrofias corneales (p = 0.04) son factores pronóstico para el rechazo corneal. Cinco ojos de cinco pacientes desarrollaron falla del injerto. Conclusiones: El rechazo del injerto en QP en pacientes pediátricos es común y puede ser resuelto satisfactoriamente en casi todos los casos con diagnóstico y tratamiento. La edad al momento de la cirugía y las opacidades corneales congénitas son factores asociados con el rechazo y fallo.

Retinoblastoma in Mexico: part I. A review of general knowledge of the disease, diagnosis, and management.

This is the first of a two-part review that aims to report the current knowledge of retinoblastoma (Rb) and its implications in Mexico (including the authors' experience at the leading Rb centers), identify the gaps in practice, and propose solutions to improve diagnosis, treatment, and patient uptake. In this first part, general knowledge of Rb diagnosis and management is summarized with a focus on the latest advances in chemotherapy. A general review of peer-reviewed literature of Rb was conducted on PubMed. Key findings were summarized. Provided there is early detection and referral of patients followed by appropriate conservative management, Rb is curable. In developed countries, the primary treatment outcome is ocular salvage with sight preservation. Advanced chemotherapeutic options such as intra-arterial and intravitreal chemotherapy can now save even the most advanced tumors. Advances in Rb therapy are generally limited to developed countries. The implications in Mexico, of the findings from this review will be discussed in Part 2, which will be a comprehensive situational analysis of the state of Rb programming in Mexico, including a review of current demographic data available from hospitals that have Rb programs or treat Rb.

Diagnostic delay and sociodemographic predictors of stage at diagnosis and mortality in unilateral and bilateral retinoblastoma.

BACKGROUND: More invasive retinoblastoma, characterized by increased morbidity and mortality, with lower rates of eye salvage and higher rates of extraocular dissemination, seems more prevalent in resource-poor countries. The relationship of diagnostic delay (lag time) and sociodemographic factors on the extent of disease at diagnosis has not been examined separately for unilateral and bilateral retinoblastoma. METHODS: At diagnosis, consenting parents of 179 Mexican children with retinoblastoma were interviewed about initial symptoms and household demographic characteristics. Clinical presentation was classified using St. Jude's, International Staging System (ISS), and International Intraocular Retinoblastoma Classification (IIRC) criteria. Lag time (delay between noting symptoms and diagnosis) and sociodemographic factors were examined as predictors for higher stage at diagnosis and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: In bilateral disease, lag time predicts stage at diagnosis using St. Jude's, and ISS criteria (P < 0.005 in multivariate regression), and OS (P < 0.05, Cox hazards), but not extent of intraocular disease (by IIRC). In unilateral disease, lag time predicts neither extent of disease (using ISS, St Jude's, and IIRC), nor OS. Indicators of prenatal poverty, including lower maternal education and the presence of dirt flooring in the home, predict more advanced disease by IIRC for bilateral retinoblastoma, and for unilateral by ISS, and St Jude's (P < 0.001) as well as OS (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest unilateral and bilateral retinoblastoma differs in factors governing progression and extraretinal extension, possibly reflecting underlying biologic heterogeneity. IMPACT: This demonstrates differing effect of social factors on extent of intra- and extraocular disease depending on laterality with implications for screening strategies.

Systematic review of the current status of programs and general knowledge of diagnosis and management of retinoblastoma / Revisión sistemática del estado actual de los programas y conocimiento general de la diagnosis y manejo de retinoblastoma

Abstract: Background: This systematic review aims to report the current knowledge of retinoblastoma (Rb) and its implications in Mexico. We analyzed clinical and demographic data of patients with Rb at select hospitals with Rb programs or that treat and refer patients with Rb, and identified the gaps in practice. We propose solutions to improve diagnosis, provide adequate treatment, and improve patient uptake. Methods: A general review was conducted on PubMed of peer-reviewed literature on Rb in Mexico. Ophthalmology Department Heads or Directors of Rb programs at seven hospitals in Mexico were contacted for data available on their patients with Rb. Results: Five hospitals provided clinical data on 777 patients with Rb in a period spanning 2000-2015. Of the 122 patients with treatment, 83.4% underwent enucleation. From 33 to 45.3% of Rb tumors in Mexico reach an advanced intraocular stage of development. Knowledge of the disease is limited, despite the fact that the Mexican Retinoblastoma Group has elaborated Rb treatment guidelines and is developing a national Rb registry. Especially in the Southern states, prevalence and outcomes are comparable to African and Asian countries, and only few patients are referred to national treatment centers. Only three institutions have comprehensive Rb programs. Conclusions: There is an immediate need in Mexico to expand primary care providers' knowledge of Rb and to expand and upgrade current Rb programs to meet the needs of the population adequately. Diagnosis and care of Rb patients in Mexico can also be improved by the establishment of a national Rb registry and a national early detection program, and by increased use of the national treatment protocol.

Resumen: Introducción: Esta es una revisión sistemática de los conocimientos actuales del retinoblastoma (Rb) y sus implicaciones en los centros de referencia más importantes del país. Se presenta un análisis situacional de los programas de Rb en México, se identificaron las brechas en la práctica, y se proponen soluciones para mejorar el diagnóstico, tratamiento y referencia oportuna de pacientes. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión general de la literatura publicada sobre Rb en México a través de PubMed. Los datos sociodemográficos de pacientes con Rb fueron obtenidos a través de los directores de programas de retinoblastoma en siete hospitales. Resultados: Casi una tercera parte de los casos Rb se diagnostican en estadios avanzados. A pesar de la existencia del Grupo Mexicano de Retinoblastoma, el conocimiento de esta patología entre los médicos es limitado. Las diferencias en el tratamiento son notorias en el sur del país, donde la prevalencia y los resultados son comparables con África y Asia. Solamente tres instituciones a nivel nacional tienen un programa establecido de Rb. Conclusiones: Existe la necesidad inmediata de consolidar los programas de Rb para cubrir las necesidades reales de la población. Se requiere mejorar la educación del médico de primer contacto, establecer el registro nacional de casos y el programa de detección temprana, establecer los programas de salvamento ocular nacional, y reforzar las instituciones que brindan tratamiento.