Pathogenic Germline Variants in Uveal Melanoma Driver and BAP1-Associated Genes in Finnish Patients with Uveal Melanoma.

Uveal melanoma (UM) is a rare yet aggressive eye cancer causing over 50% mortality from metastasis. Familial UM, amounting to 1%-6% of patients in Finland and the United States, mostly lack identified genetic cause, while 8% show associations with other cancer syndromes. We searched novel genetic associations for predisposition to UM, additional to already studied BAP1 and MBD4, by using targeted amplicon sequencing of 19 genes associated with UM, BAP1, or renal cell carcinoma in 270 consecutively enrolled Finnish patients with UM. Key UM drivers GNAQ, GNA11, CYSLTR2, PLCB4, EIF1AX, and SF3B1 lacked pathogenic germline variants. One patient carried the pathogenic BRCA1 variant c.3626del p.(Leu1209*), and one harbored a novel truncating MET variant c.252C > G p.(Tyr84*), classified as likely pathogenic. FLCN and BRCA2, previously identified with pathogenic variants in patients with UM, did not have such variants in our cohort. Two patients were heterozygous for a pathogenic recessive BLM variant c.2824-2A > T. None of the carriers of identified variants had familial UM. We identified BRCA1 and MET as genes with pathogenic germline variants in Finnish UM patients, each with a frequency of 0.4% (95% confidence interval, 0-2).

The Pediatric and Young Adult Choroidal and Ciliary Body Melanoma Genetic Study, A Survey by the European Ophthalmic Oncology Group.

Purpose: To explore the genetic background of choroidal and ciliary body melanoma among children and young adults, with special focus on BAP1 germline variants in this age group. Methods: Patients under the age of 25 and with confirmed choroidal or ciliary body melanoma were included in this retrospective, multicenter observational study. Nuclear BAP1 immunopositivity was used to evaluate the presence of functional BAP1 in the tumor. Next-generation sequencing using Ion Torrent platform was used to determine pathogenic variants of BAP1, EIF1AX, SF3B1, GNAQ and GNA11 and chromosome 3 status in the tumor or in DNA extracted from blood or saliva. Survival was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier estimates. Results: The mean age at diagnosis was 17 years (range 5.0-24.8). A germline BAP1 pathogenic variant was identified in an 18-year-old patient, and a somatic variant, based mainly on immunohistochemistry, in 13 (42%) of 31 available specimens. One tumor had a somatic SF3B1 pathogenic variant. Disomy 3 and the absence of a BAP1 pathogenic variant in the tumor predicted the longest metastasis-free survival. Males showed longer metastasis-free survival than females (P = 0.018). Conclusions: We did not find a stronger-than-average BAP1 germline predisposition for choroidal and ciliary body melanoma among children and young adults compared to adults. Males had a more favorable survival and disomy 3, and the absence of a BAP1 mutation in the tumor tissue predicted the most favorable metastasis-free survival. A BAP1 germline pathogenic variant was identified in one patient (1%), and a somatic variant based mainly on immunohistochemistry in 13 (42%).

Functional assay for assessment of pathogenicity of BAP1 variants.

BACKGROUND: Pathogenic germline variants in BRCA1-Associated Protein 1 (BAP1) cause BAP1 tumor predisposition syndrome (BAP1-TPDS). Carriers run especially a risk of uveal (UM) and cutaneous melanoma, malignant mesothelioma, and clear cell renal carcinoma. Approximately half of increasingly reported BAP1 variants lack accurate classification. Correct interpretation of pathogenicity can improve prognosis of the patients through tumor screening with better understanding of BAP1-TPDS. METHODS: We edited five rare BAP1 variants with differing functional characteristics identified from patients with UM in HAP1 cells using CRISPR-Cas9 and assayed their effect on cell adhesion/spreading (at 4 h) and proliferation (at 48 h), measured as cell index (CI), using xCELLigence real-time analysis system. RESULTS: In BAP1 knockout HAP1 cultures, cell number was half of wild type (WT) cultures at 48 h (p = 0.00021), reaching confluence later, and CI was 78% reduced (p < 0.0001). BAP1-TPDS-associated null variants c.67+1G>T and c.1780_1781insT, and a likely pathogenic missense variant c.281A>G reduced adhesion (all p ≤ 0.015) and proliferation by 74%-83% (all p ≤ 0.032). Another likely pathogenic missense variant c.680G>A reduced both by at least 50% (all p ≤ 0.032), whereas cells edited with likely benign one c.1526C>T grew similarly to WT. CONCLUSIONS: BAP1 is essential for optimal fitness of HAP1 cells. Pathogenic and likely pathogenic BAP1 variants reduced cell fitness, reflected in adhesion/spreading and proliferation properties. Further, moderate effects were quantifiable. Variant modelling in HAP1 with CRISPR-Cas9 enabled functional analysis of coding and non-coding region variants in an endogenous expression system.

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the eyelid in northern latitudes, a 25-year experience in Finland.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence, clinical features, diagnostic challenges, management and prognosis of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the eyelid (ecSCC) in southern Finland, northern Europe, latitude 62° N. METHODS: Patients were identified from the Finnish Cancer Registry and the Helsinki University Hospital databases during a 25-year period (1998-2022). Age, sex, location, clinical and histopathological diagnosis, treatment and outcome were retrieved. RESULTS: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the eyelid (ecSCC) was diagnosed in 58 patients. The mean age-standardized incidence was 1.03 per 100 000. Median age at the time of histopathological diagnosis was 79 (range 55-93) years; sex ratio was 0.52. Clinical diagnosis in the referral was ecSCC in only three patients. The most frequent misdiagnosis (38%) was basal cell carcinoma (BCC). One or more of the known risk factors (smoking, history of extensive sun exposure, systemic immunosuppression and previous in situ cSCC/cSCC) were documented in 71% of the patients. More than one third (38%) of the patients developed in situ SCC elsewhere on the skin; one third (31%) of the patients had invasive cSCC elsewhere. During the median follow-up time of 24 months, three patients experienced local recurrence, four patients developed metastatic disease (median 19 months) and two patients died of metastatic ecSCC. CONCLUSION: The estimated incidence of ecSCC in Finland (predominantly white Caucasian) was higher than in a previous study from Europe. Clinical diagnosis of ecSCC is difficult and often misdiagnosed as BCC. Immunosuppression as a risk factor should noticed. Recurrences of ecSCC, which may be lethal, were infrequent.

Pediatric ocular melanoma: a collaborative multicenter study and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To investigate clinical manifestations and prognoses in pediatric patients (≤12 years old) with ocular melanoma. METHODS: This was a retrospective, multicenter cohort study with individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis pooling available published cases, and unpublished cases from an international collaboration of seven ocular oncology centers. RESULTS: There were 133 eyes of 133 pediatric patients with choroidal or ciliary body (n = 66 [50%]), iris (n = 33 [25%]), conjunctival (n = 26 [19%]), and eyelid (n = 8 [6%]) melanoma. Overall, the mean patient age at presentation was 7 years (median, 8; range, 1-12 years), with 63 males (49%). The mean age by tumor site was 6.50 ± 3.90, 7.44 ± 3.57, 9.12 ± 2.61, and 5.63 ± 2.38 years, for choroid/ciliary body, iris, conjunctiva, and eyelid melanoma, respectively (P = 0.001). Association with ocular melanocytosis was seen in 15%, 11%, 4%, and 0%, respectively (P = 0.01). Frequency of ocular melanoma family history did not vary by tumor site (7%, 17%, 9% and 12%, resp. [P = 0.26]). After mean follow-up of 74, 85, 50, and 105 months (P = 0.65), metastasis was seen in 12%, 9%, 19%, and 13% of choroid/ciliary body, iris, conjunctiva, and eyelid melanoma, respectively. Death was reported in 5%, 3%, 8%, and 0%, respectively, with survival analysis indicating higher mortality in choroidal/ciliary body and conjunctival melanoma patients. CONCLUSIONS: Ocular melanoma in the pediatric population is rare, with unique clinical features and outcomes. Iris melanoma accounts for about one-third of pediatric uveal melanoma cases.

Cataract surgical training in Europe: European Board of Ophthalmology survey.

PURPOSE: To survey recently graduated European ophthalmologists concerning cataract surgery (CS) training opportunities. SETTING: Countries affiliated to the European Board of Ophthalmology (EBO). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of anonymous survey results. METHODS: A 23-question online survey was emailed to candidates who sat the EBO Diploma Examination as residents between 2018 and 2022. RESULTS: 821 ophthalmologists from 30 countries completed the survey. The mean residency duration was 4.73 (SD 0.9) years. The mean reported number of entire CS procedures performed was 80.7 (SD 100.6) at the end of residency, but more than 25% of respondents (n = 210) had received no live CS training during their residency. The self-confidence (scale, 1 to 10) to perform a simple case or challenging case, manage posterior capsular rupture, and realize a corneal stitch were rated 4.1, 3.2, 4.2, 2.4, respectively. We observed extensive variation in clinical exposure to CS and self-reported confidence to perform CS between European trainees. Females reported a mean of 18% fewer entire procedures than their male colleagues and were also less confident in their surgical skills (P < .05). Trainees in residency programs longer than 5 years performed fewer procedures and were less confident than trainees in residences of shorter duration (P < .001). The importance of fellowships to complete surgical education was rated 7.7 out of 10. CONCLUSIONS: CS training across European countries lacks harmony. Female ophthalmology trainees continue, as in other specialties, to experience apparent gender bias. European level recommendations seem necessary to raise and harmonize competency-based CS training programs and promote post-residency fellowship training programs.

Clinical and Histopathologic Characteristics and Template of the TGFBI p.(His626Arg) Missense Variant Lattice Corneal Dystrophy.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to define, following the IC3D template format, the clinical and histopathologic phenotype of the p.(His626Arg) missense variant lattice corneal dystrophy (LCDV-H626R), the most common variant lattice dystrophy, and to record long-term outcome of corneal transplantation in this dystrophy. METHODS: A database search and a meta-analysis of published data on LCDV-H626R were conducted. A patient diagnosed with LCDV-H626R who underwent bilateral lamellar keratoplasty followed by rekeratoplasty of 1 eye is described, including histopathologic examination of the 3 keratoplasty specimens. RESULTS: One hundred forty-five patients from at least 61 families and 11 countries diagnosed with LCDV-H626R were found. This dystrophy is characterized by recurrent erosions, asymmetric progression, and thick lattice lines that extend to corneal periphery. The median age is 37 (range, 25-59) years at the onset of symptoms, 45 (range, 26-62) years at the time of diagnosis, and 50 (range, 41-78) years at the time of the first keratoplasty, suggesting a median interval from the first symptoms to diagnosis and to keratoplasty of 7 and 12 years, respectively. Clinically unaffected carriers have been of age 6 to 45 years. Central anterior stromal haze and centrally thick, peripherally thinner branching lattice lines in the anterior to midstroma of the cornea were noted preoperatively. Histopathology of the host anterior corneal lamella showed a subepithelial fibrous pannus, a destroyed Bowman layer, and amyloid deposits extending to the deep stroma. In the rekeratoplasty specimen, amyloid localized to scarring along the Bowman membrane and to the margins of the graft. CONCLUSIONS: The IC3D-type template for LCDV-H626R should help diagnose and manage variant carriers. The histopathologic spectrum of findings is broader and more nuanced than what has been reported.

Presumed incipient choroidal melanoma: proposed diagnostic criteria and management.

AIMS: To propose diagnostic criteria for a presumed incipient choroidal melanoma based on tumour growth rate and tumour doubling time (TDT) and to describe management of such tumours with transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT). METHODS: Retrospective interventional case series of nine consecutive presumed incipient uveal melanomas diagnosed and treated with TTT in 2010-2017. Growth rate in mm/year and per cent/year in largest basal diameter (LBD) and TDT were compared with published data for uveal melanomas and growing naevi that did not transform to melanoma under long-term follow-up. RESULTS: The median LBD and thickness were 1.6 mm (range 0.9-2.3) and 0.20 mm (range 0.15-0.29), respectively. The median age was 57 years (range 47-78). Seven tumours were classified as de novo melanomas and two as transformed naevi. The median time from first observation to diagnosis was 3.3 years (range 2.2-7.3), LBD growth rate 0.25 mm/year (range 0.11-0.72) and 34 per cent/year (range 10-1437), and TDT 609 days (range 97-1612). The estimates matched those reported for uveal melanoma (median TDT 521 days, 90th percentile 2192) and exceeded those for growing naevi (median growth rate 0.04 mm/year, 90th percentile 0.12; 1.1 per cent/year, 90th percentile 2.6). The predicted median age at de novo appearance was 51 years (range 32-63). No tumour grew after TTT during a median follow-up of 2.1 years (range 0.6-8.7). CONCLUSIONS: In this series, relative growth rate and TDT best qualified as diagnostic criteria for an incipient choroidal melanoma. Too small for brachytherapy, they could be managed with TTT.

Retinoblastoma seeds: impact on American Joint Committee on Cancer clinical staging.

AIM: To investigate whether the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) clinical category cT2b needs to be subclassified by the type and distribution of retinoblastoma (RB) seeding. METHODS: Multicentre, international registry-based data were collected from RB centres enrolled between January 2001 and December 2013. 1054 RB eyes with vitreous or subretinal seeds from 18 ophthalmic oncology centres, in 13 countries within six continents were analysed. Local treatment failure was defined as the use of secondary enucleation or external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and was estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Clinical category cT2b included 1054 eyes. Median age at presentation was 16.0 months. Of these, 428 (40.6%) eyes were salvaged, and 430 (40.8%) were treated with primary and 196 (18.6%) with secondary enucleation. Of the 592 eyes that had complete data for globe salvage analysis, the distribution of seeds was focal in 143 (24.2%) and diffuse in 449 (75.8%). The 5-year Kaplan-Meier cumulative globe-salvage (without EBRT) was 78% and 49% for eyes with focal and diffuse RB seeding, respectively. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis confirmed a higher local treatment failure risk with diffuse seeds as compared with focal seeds (hazard rate: 2.8; p<0.001). There was insufficient evidence to prove or disprove an association between vitreous seed type and local treatment failure risk(p=0.06). CONCLUSION: This international, multicentre, registry-based analysis of RB eyes affirmed that eyes with diffuse intraocular distribution of RB seeds at diagnosis had a higher risk of local treatment failure when compared with focal seeds. Subclassification of AJCC RB category cT2b into focal vs diffuse seeds will improve prognostication for eye salvage.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Secondary Glaucoma in Eyes with Uveal Melanoma.

PURPOSE: To estimate incidence of and analyze risk factors for developing secondary glaucoma in eyes with uveal melanoma before and after diagnosis. DESIGN: A cross-sectional, population-based cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Seven hundred eighty-one patients (median age, 64 years; range, 14-93) consecutively diagnosed with uveal melanoma from 1997 to 2012 in a national ocular oncology service, 708 (91%) of whom received ruthenium (50%) or iodine (50%) brachytherapy. METHODS: Patient, tumor, treatment, and follow-up data were collected prospectively. Frequency and associations of melanoma-related glaucoma at tumor diagnosis were assessed. Incidence of developing secondary glaucoma after diagnosis was estimated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Independent risk factors were modeled using Cox regression. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Melanoma-related glaucoma and related risk factors. RESULTS: Forty-five patients (5.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.2-7.6) had tumor-related secondary glaucoma at diagnosis, 34 (76%) from a narrow-to-closed angle (25 had direct angle invasion) and 10 (22%) from anterior neovascularization. Synchronous metastases were common in patients with initial secondary glaucoma (11% vs. 1.2% with incident glaucoma, P = 0.005). Patients with secondary glaucoma were often male (58% vs. 48% without glaucoma; P = 0.010) and had larger tumors (median thickness, 9.1 vs. 4.0 mm; P < 0.001) involving the ciliary body (43% vs. 21%; P < 0.001) with retinal detachment (53% vs. 30%; P < 0.001). One hundred and sixty-eight patients 165 of which were treated with brachytherapy developed incident tumor- or treatment-related secondary glaucoma a median of 1.7 years (range, 0.1-13.6) after tumor diagnosis. Cumulative proportion of developing secondary glaucoma was 23% (95% CI, 20-27) at 5 years. The most common mechanism was neovascularization in 119 patients (71%; 95% CI, 63-78). By multivariable regression, initial retinal detachment 3 to 4 quadrants (hazard ratio [HR], 2.18; P < 0.001), initial intraocular pressure 17 mmHg or higher (HR, 1.64; P = 0.01), and tumor thickness predicted incident secondary glaucoma. CONCLUSIONS: Secondary glaucoma at initial uveal melanoma diagnosis predicts high risk of synchronous metastases. Although anterior neovascularization is the most common mechanism for secondary glaucoma after diagnosis, other mechanisms such as angle narrowing and anterior chamber hemorrhage are not infrequent. Initial retinal detachment and intraocular pressure with tumor thickness could inform interim assessments of intraocular pressure and neovascularization.

Determinants of Long-Term Survival in Metastatic Choroidal and Ciliary Body Melanoma.

PURPOSE: To build and validate a prognostic model that predicts long-term overall survival (OS) in metastatic choroidal and ciliary body melanoma (CCBM) to facilitate patient counseling and planning, reporting, and interpreting clinical trials. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study with validation. METHODS: We analyzed predictors of intermediate (IMT; 25-<42 months) and long-term (LT; ≥42 months) OS in a Finnish nationwide cohort of 330 patients with metastatic CCBM. Short-term (<25 months), IMT, and LT survival were compared with pairwise and ordinal logistic regression. A single-center cohort of 259 patients from Italy was used for validation. Models were compared with a deviance test. RESULTS: Median OS was 12 and 17 months in the building and validation datasets, respectively; 40 (12%) and 31 (9%) compared with 44 (17%) and 32 (12%) patients were IMT and LT survivors, respectively. Alkaline phosphatase or lactate dehydrogenase level never exceeded 2 times the upper normal limit (UNL) in either LT cohort. Conditional to both being ≤2 times the UNL, distant metastasis-free interval (DMFI) >42 months (odds ratio [OR] 4.09-4.64; P < .001) paired with age <60 years (OR 3.23; P = .002), having no symptoms (OR 4.19; P = .005), and the largest diameter of the largest metastasis <30 mm (Tumor, Node, Metastasis stage M1a; OR 3.05; P = .001) independently predicted higher odds of surviving longer (IMT or LT) without model preference. These results were confirmed in the validation dataset. CONCLUSIONS: Alkaline phosphatase or lactate dehydrogenase >2 times the UNL essentially precluded LT survival. The most robust predictor otherwise was DMFI >42 months, followed by age <60 years, absence of symptoms, and Tumor, Node, Metastasis stage M1a.

Trends in Keratoplasty Procedures During 2 Decades in a Major Tertiary Referral Center in Finland: 1995 to 2015.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze trends in number, age-adjusted frequency, and type of keratoplasty in a major tertiary referral center, relative to patient and graft characteristics. METHODS: A retrospective registry study of 1574 patients who in 1995 to 2015 underwent keratoplasty in the Helsinki University Eye Hospital (HUEH). Graft type and sequence, patient characteristics, and date of surgery were recorded. Main outcome measures were annual number, type, and age-adjusted frequency of keratoplasty; patient and graft characteristics; graft procurement; and national population-adjusted frequency of keratoplasty. RESULTS: In HUEH, from 1995 to 2015, a total of 2191 keratoplasties were performed with 48% of the grafts procured intramurally; 76% were primary and 24% regrafts. The age-adjusted frequency of primary penetrating keratoplasty decreased by 52% from 0.96 to 0.46 per 100,000. The corresponding frequency of primary Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty increased by 367% from 0.3 to 1.4 after 2006, finally accounting for 68% of primary grafts. Men underwent primary penetrating keratoplasty (median 48 vs. 67 yrs, P = 0.0001) and anterior lamellar keratoplasty (median 37 vs. 46 yrs, P = 0.0015) at a younger age than women. Interval to the first regraft was comparable between sexes (median 2.2 vs. 1.9 yrs, respectively, P = 0.17). The national median population-adjusted frequency of keratoplasties was 3.2 per 100,000 from 2009 to 2015, and HUEH accounted for a median of 69% of them. CONCLUSIONS: The increased frequency of keratoplasty in HUEH resulted from rapid adoption of Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty after 2006 and was facilitated by centralizing graft procurement to HUEH and the National Cell and Tissue Center Regea.

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.

Intravenous hypertonic saline to reduce intraocular pressure: the effect of splitting the bolus.

PURPOSE: To compare intraocular pressure (IOP) and pain after a single versus split bolus of intravenous hypertonic saline (IVHTS). METHODS: In a prospective, randomized, interventional trial, we enrolled patients with an IOP of 22-34 mmHg. Twenty patients in Group 1 received IVHTS as a single bolus of 1 mmol/kg 23.4% sodium chloride, and 13 patients in Group 2 received two boli of 0.5 mmol/kg separated by 10 min. They graded pain at the infusion site. We measured IOP, heart rate and blood pressure before and 10 and 20 min after IVHTS. RESULTS: Eighteen patients (90%) in Group 1 felt pain (median, 6.5; range, 0-10). In Group 2, 11 patients (85%) felt pain after the first bolus (median, 6.0; range, 0-8) and 12 (92%) after the second one (median, 8; range, 0-10). We found no difference in pain grade between the groups after their first bolus (p = 0.33) or between the first bolus of Group 1 and the second bolus of Group 2 (p = 0.47). The median IOP reduction in Group 1 was 6.5 mmHg (range, 2-16) at 10 min and 7.0 mmHg (range, 4-16) at 20 min (p < 0.001 for both). In Group 2, the corresponding reductions after the second bolus were 9.0 mmHg (range, 4-10; p = 0.002) and 8.0 mmHg (range, 6-11; p = 0.002). The IOP reduction at 10 and 20 min was comparable between groups (p = 0.094 and p = 0.41, respectively). CONCLUSION: Splitting the bolus did not reduce pain associated with IVHTS. Single bolus is consequently recommended.

Outcome Measures of New Technologies in Uveal Melanoma: Review from the European Vision Institute Special Interest Focus Group Meeting.

Uveal Melanoma (UM) is the most common primary intra-ocular tumor in adults. New diagnostic procedures and basic science discoveries continue to change our patient management paradigms. A recent meeting of the European Vision Institute (EVI) special interest focus group was held on "Outcome Measures of New Technologies in Uveal Melanoma", addressing the latest advances in UM, starting with genetic developments, then moving on to imaging and treatment of the primary tumor, as well as to investigating the most recent developments in treating metastases, and eventually taking care of the patient's wellbeing. This review highlights the meeting's presentations in the context of the published literature.

Metastatic uveal melanoma: The final frontier.

Treatment of primary intraocular uveal melanoma has developed considerably, its driver genes are largely unraveled, and the ways to assess its risk for metastases are very precise, being based on an international staging system and genetic data. Unfortunately, the risk of distant metastases, which emerge in approximately one half of all patients, is unaltered. Metastases are the leading single cause of death after uveal melanoma is diagnosed, yet no consensus exists regarding surveillance, staging, and treatment of disseminated disease, and survival has not improved until recently. The final frontier in conquering uveal melanoma lies in solving these issues to cure metastatic disease. Most studies on metastatic uveal melanoma are small, uncontrolled, retrospective, and do not report staging. Meta-analyses confirm a median overall survival of 10-13 months, and a cure rate that approaches nil, although survival exceeding 5 years is possible, estimated 2% either with first-line treatment or with best supportive care. Hepatic ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging as surveillance methods have a sensitivity of 95-100% and 83-100%, respectively, to detect metastases without radiation hazard according to prevailing evidence, but computed tomography is necessary for staging. No blood-based tests additional to liver function tests are generally accepted. Three validated staging systems predict, each in defined situations, overall survival after metastasis. Their essential components include measures of tumor burden, liver function, and performance status or metastasis free interval. Age and gender may additionally influence survival. Exceptional mutational events in metastases may make them susceptible to checkpoint inhibitors. In a large meta-analysis, surgical treatment was associated with 6 months longer median overall survival as compared to conventional chemotherapy and, recently, tebentafusp as first-line treatment at the first interim analysis of a randomized phase III trial likewise provided a 6 months longer median overall survival compared to investigator's choice, mostly pembrolizumab; these treatments currently apply to selected patients. Promoting dormancy of micrometastases, harmonizing surveillance protocols, promoting staging, identifying predictive factors, initiating controlled clinical trials, and standardizing reporting will be critical steppingstones in reaching the final frontier of curing metastatic uveal melanoma.