Assessment of Different Circulating Tumor Cell Platforms for Uveal Melanoma: Potential Impact for Future Routine Clinical Practice.

Liquid biopsy and circulating tumor cell (CTC) screening has gained interest over the last two decades for detecting almost all solid malignancies. To date, the major limitation in terms of the applicability of CTC screening in daily clinical practice is the lack of reproducibility due to the high number of platforms available that use various technologies (e.g., label-dependent versus label-free detection). Only a few studies have compared different CTC platforms. The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of four commercially available CTC platforms (Vortex (VTX-1), ClearCell FX, ISET, and Cellsearch) for the detection and identification of uveal melanoma cells (OMM 2.3 cell line). Tumor cells were seeded in RPMI medium and venous blood from healthy donors, and then processed similarly using these four platforms. Melan-A immunochemistry was performed to identify tumor cells, except when the Cellsearch device was used (automated identification). The mean overall recovery rates (with mean recovered cells) were 39.2% (19.92), 22.2% (11.31), 8.9% (4.85), and 1.1% (0.20) for the ISET, Vortex (VTX-1), ClearCell FX, and CellSearch platforms, respectively. Although paramount, the recovery rate is not sufficient to assess a CTC platform. Other parameters, such as the purpose for using a platform (diagnosis, genetics, drug sensitivity, or patient-derived xenograft models), reproducibility, purity, user-friendliness, cost-effectiveness, and ergonomics, should also be considered before they can be used in daily clinical practice and are discussed in this article.

PD-L1 Expression in 65 Conjunctival Melanomas and Its Association with Clinical Outcome.

Conjunctival melanoma (CM) iss a rare and aggressive tumour that is increasing in frequency. The prognostic value of PD-L1 expression, alone or in combination with CD8 and PD-1 expression and the BRAF and NRAS status, has not been determined in CM to date. We evaluated the expression of PD-L1, CD8, PD-1 in CM and investigated whether there was an association between the expression of these markers and the BRAF and NRAS molecular profile as well as some clinico-pathological criteria. A total of sixty-five CM were assessed for PD-L1, PD-1, and CD8 expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and for BRAF and NRAS genomic alterations using molecular biology techniques and anti-BRAF and anti-NRAS antibodies. PD-L1 expression in tumour cells (TC) was very low or absent but detected in tumour-infiltrating immune cells (IC). A correlation was observed between the expression of PD-L1, CD8, and PD-1 in IC. No correlation between PD-L1 expression (in tumour and/or immune cells) and BRAF or NRAS mutations was observed. PD-L1 expression in IC correlated with a higher pTNM stage and PD-L1 expression in TC with worse disease-specific survival. PD-L1 expression is a potential prognostic biomarker that correlates with poor prognosis in CM patients.

[Focus on clinical and pathological management of conjunctival melanocytic tumors]. / Mise au point sur la prise en charge clinique et anatomo-pathologique des tumeurs mélanocytaires de la conjonctive.

Conjunctival-pigmented tumors are rare, but they are one of the most commonly encountered by the pathologist working with the department of ophthalmology. Nevus and melanoma can be encountered and have some histological difference compared to their cutaneous counterpart. Primary acquired melanosis (PAM) is a conjunctival specific entity. This clinical term includes several histological lesions ranging from benignity to melanoma precursor lesion. Histologic examination determines the therapy and the risk of progression to melanoma. We present here a histopathological, clinical and therapeutic synthesis of conjunctival-pigmented lesions, emphasizing the importance of a good understanding between clinicians and pathologists.

Revisiting the Use of Deep Temporalis Fascia Grafts in Ophthalmology.

PURPOSE: To report new indications for deep temporalis fascia (DTF) grafts in the ophthalmic field. METHODS: Monocentric retrospective interventional case series study. All the patients who underwent a DTF graft in an unpublished new indication over the study period (May 2020-October 2023) were included. For each patient, gender, age, graft indication, outcomes, complications, and follow-up duration were collected. In most cases, the DTF graft was covered by a vascularized flap. RESULTS: Eight patients underwent a DTF graft over the study period. The indications were: radiotherapy-induced scleral necrosis in three cases, tendinoplasty to replace the inferior rectus muscle tendon invaded by a locally advanced conjunctival carcinoma in one case, Ahmed glaucoma valve tube exposure in one case, intraocular lens with scleral fixation exposure in one case, orbital cerebrospinal fluid fistula (orbitorrhea) in one case, and post-traumatic complete corneal graft loss in one case. The DTF graft was successful in 87.5% of cases after a mean follow-up of 11.4 months. No complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: DTF graft is a highly versatile graft that can be easily harvested. New indications for DTF grafts may include the repair of radiotherapy-induced scleral necrosis, the creation of oculomotor tendon and the temporary packing of large ocular tissue loss in an emergency context. Further studies with a longer follow-up are needed to confirm our preliminary results.

Benefit of Optical Coherence Tomography-Angiography in Patients Undergoing Transsphenoidal Pituitary Adenoma Surgery: A Prospective Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND: Although visual field (VF) defects are common in compressive pituitary adenoma (CPA), their pathophysiology has not been fully elucidated. The mechanical theory (i.e., direct compression of the optic chiasm by the CPA) and the vascular theory (i.e., compression of the vessels supplying the visual path by the CPA) or their association could explain the visual impairment. The aim of this study was to determine whether the vascular density (VD) improved after surgical decompression of the optic chiasm in CPA patients and whether OCT-A could help to identify predictive factors for postoperative visual recovery. METHODS: A prospective controlled study was conducted in patients who underwent transsphenoidal pituitary adenoma surgery. Patients were divided into two groups: with CPA and without CPA (NCPA). All patients underwent a neuro-ophthalmological examination, VF testing, macular and optic disc structural OCT [retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell complex (GCC) thicknesses] and OCT-A before and then 1 and 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: Twenty-four eyes and fourteen eyes were included, respectively, in the CPA and NCPA groups. None of the VD parameters assessed by OCT-A were significantly improved after surgery in the CPA group. In the CPA group, the mean macular superficial VD was significantly decreased at 6 months. The multivariate analysis failed to identify any preoperative parameters predictive of postoperative VF improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary findings suggest that the visual impairment observed in CPA patients could not be explained by the vascular theory. None of the preoperative OCT-A parameters allowed a postoperative VF recovery assessment. Trial registration number NCT04074642, ID-RCB 2019-A01186-51 date of registration 30 July 2019.

Efficacy and safety of hyperbaric oxygen therapy monitored by fluorescein angiography in patients with retinal artery occlusion.

AIMS: To assess the efficacy and safety of a standardised hyperbaric oxygen therapy protocol (HBOT) monitored by fluorescein angiography (FA) in patients with retinal artery occlusion (RAO). METHODS: It is a prospective, non-comparative, monocentric study conducted between July 2016 and March 2022. All consecutive patients diagnosed with RAO within 7 days underwent visual acuity measurement, FA, macular optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT-angiography. They received two daily HBOT sessions (2.5 atmosphere absolute, 90 min) until revascularisation assessed by FA. Complete ophthalmic follow-up was scheduled at day 14, day 21 and at 1 month. The main outcome measure was a best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improvement defined as a decrease ≥0.3 logMAR at 1 month. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients were included and received a mean number of 33.9 (13-56) HBOT sessions. Retinal revascularisation was observed in 48.4% and 87.1% of patients at days 14 and 21, respectively. The mean BCVA on referral and at 1 month was 1.51 logMAR and 1.10 logMAR, respectively. Fifteen (48.4%) patients achieved the main outcome measure. Six (19.4%) patients experienced minor barotrauma that did not require HBOT discontinuation. The univariate analysis showed that antiplatelet-treated patients (p=0.044) and patients with a poor initial BCVA (p=0.008) were more likely to achieve a BCVA improvement. OCT-angiography was not sensitive enough to diagnose RAO or assess revascularisation. CONCLUSION: In RAO patients monitored by FA until spontaneous revascularisation of the central retinal artery, HBOT was effective and safe.

Corneal foreign bodies: are antiseptics and antibiotics equally effective?

PURPOSE: To compare the effect of antiseptics and antibiotics on the occurrence of Infectious Keratitis (IK) secondary to Corneal Foreign Body (CFB) removal. METHODS: Multicenter retrospective study conducted between June 2020 and June 2022 in patients referred for CFBs and treated with Picloxydine (Group 1) or Tobramycin (Group 2) for 7 days. A follow-up visit was scheduled on Day 3 (D3) and a phone call on D30. The primary outcome measure was the occurrence of IK. RESULTS: 307 patients (300 men) with a mean age of 42.8 (14.8) years were included. The mean (SD) time to consultation was 43.1 (45.6) hours. Picloxydine and Tobramycin were given to 155 and 152 patients. Half of patients (n = 154, 50.2%) were building workers and 209 (68.1%) did not wear eye protections. CFBs were mainly metallic (n = 292, 95.1%). Upon referral, rust was found in 220 patients (72.1%). A burr was used in 119 (38.9%) patients. IK occurred in 15 (4.9%) patients, 8 (5.3%) in Group 1 and 7 (4.5%) in Group 2 (p = 0.797). IK was successfully treated in all cases. Persistent rust was found in 113 patients (36.9%) on D3 without difference between burr or needle use (p = 0.278). On D3, corneal healing was delayed in 154 patients (47.2%), mainly in burr-treated patients (p = 0.003). The mean (SD) work stoppage duration was 0.32 (0.98) days. CONCLUSION: IK rate was 4.9%. The efficacy of antibiotics and antiseptics was similar on CFB removal. Using a burr was associated with a longer healing time. CFBs had a limited social impact.

Characterisation of the protein expression of the emerging immunotherapy targets VISTA, LAG-3 and PRAME in primary uveal melanoma: insights from a southern French patient cohort.

Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common intraocular tumour in adults, with dismal prognosis once metastases develop, since therapeutic options for the metastatic disease are ineffective. Over the past decade, novel cancer therapies based on immunotherapy have changed the landscape of treatment of different forms of cancer leading to many hopes of improvement in patient overall survival (OS). VISTA, LAG-3 and PRAME are novel promising targets of immunotherapy that have recently gained attention in different solid tumours, but whose relevance in UM remained to be comprehensively evaluated until now. Here, we studied the protein expression of VISTA, LAG-3 and PRAME using immunohistochemistry in representative whole tissue sections from primary UM cases in a cohort of 30 patients from a single centre (Nice University Hospital, Nice, France). The expression of each of these markers was correlated with different clinical and pathological parameters, including onset of metastases and OS. We demonstrated the protein expression of VISTA and LAG-3 in small lymphocytes infiltrating the tumour, while no expression of the proteins was detected in UM cells. For PRAME, nuclear expression was observed in UM cells, but no expression in tumour infiltrating immune cells was identified. Increased levels of VISTA expression in tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) were associated with nuclear BAP1 expression and better prognosis. Higher levels of LAG-3 in TILs were associated with higher levels of CD8-positive TILs. PRAME nuclear positivity in melanoma cells was associated with epithelioid cell dominant (>90%) UM histological subtype, higher mitotic numbers and a higher percentage of chromosome 8q gain. This study proposes VISTA as a novel relevant immune checkpoint molecule in primary UM and contributes to confirm LAG-3 and PRAME as potentially important immunotherapy targets in the treatment of UM patients, helping to expand the number of immunotherapy candidate molecules that are relevant to modulate in this aggressive cancer.

Need for a Dedicated Ophthalmic Malignancy Clinico-Biological Biobank: The Nice Ocular MAlignancy (NOMA) Biobank.

Ophthalmic malignancies include various rare neoplasms involving the conjunctiva, the uvea, or the periocular area. These tumors are characterized by their scarcity as well as their histological, and sometimes genetic, diversity. Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary intraocular malignancy. UM raises three main challenges highlighting the specificity of ophthalmic malignancies. First, UM is a very rare malignancy with an estimated incidence of 6 cases per million inhabitants. Second, tissue biopsy is not routinely recommended due to the risk of extraocular dissemination. Third, UM is an aggressive cancer because it is estimated that about 50% of patients will experience metastatic spread without any curative treatment available at this stage. These challenges better explain the two main objectives in the creation of a dedicated UM biobank. First, collecting UM samples is essential due to tissue scarcity. Second, large-scale translational research programs based on stored human samples will help to better determine UM pathogenesis with the aim of identifying new biomarkers, allowing for early diagnosis and new targeted treatment modalities. Other periocular malignancies, such as conjunctival melanomas or orbital malignancies, also raise specific concerns. In this context, the number of biobanks worldwide dedicated to ocular malignancies is very limited. The aims of this article were (i) to describe the specific challenges raised by a dedicated ocular malignancy biobank, (ii) to report our experience in setting up such a biobank, and (iii) to discuss future perspectives in this field.

LKB1-SIK2 loss drives uveal melanoma proliferation and hypersensitivity to SLC8A1 and ROS inhibition.

Metastatic uveal melanomas are highly resistant to all existing treatments. To address this critical issue, we performed a kinome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screen, which revealed the LKB1-SIK2 module in restraining uveal melanoma tumorigenesis. Functionally, LKB1 loss enhances proliferation and survival through SIK2 inhibition and upregulation of the sodium/calcium (Na+ /Ca2+ ) exchanger SLC8A1. This signaling cascade promotes increased levels of intracellular calcium and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, two hallmarks of cancer. We further demonstrate that combination of an SLC8A1 inhibitor and a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant promotes enhanced cell death efficacy in LKB1- and SIK2-negative uveal melanoma cells compared to control cells. Our study also identified an LKB1-loss gene signature for the survival prognostic of patients with uveal melanoma that may be also predictive of response to the therapy combination. Our data thus identify not only metabolic vulnerabilities but also new prognostic markers, thereby providing a therapeutic strategy for particular subtypes of metastatic uveal melanoma.

Non-Cancer Effects following Ionizing Irradiation Involving the Eye and Orbit.

The eye is an exemplarily challenging organ to treat when considering ocular tumors. It is at the crossroads of several major aims in oncology: tumor control, organ preservation, and functional outcomes including vision and quality of life. The proximity between the tumor and organs that are susceptible to radiation damage explain these challenges. Given a high enough dose of radiation, virtually any cancer will be destroyed with radiotherapy. Yet, the doses inevitably absorbed by normal tissues may lead to complications, the likelihood of which increases with the radiation dose and volume of normal tissues irradiated. Precision radiotherapy allows personalized decision-making algorithms based on patient and tumor characteristics by exploiting the full knowledge of the physics, radiobiology, and the modifications made to the radiotherapy equipment to adapt to the various ocular tumors. Anticipation of the spectrum and severity of radiation-induced complications is crucial to the decision of which technique to use for a given tumor. Radiation can damage the lacrimal gland, eyelashes/eyelids, cornea, lens, macula/retina, optic nerves and chiasma, each having specific dose-response characteristics. The present review is a report of non-cancer effects that may occur following ionizing irradiation involving the eye and orbit and their specific patterns of toxicity for a given radiotherapy modality.

Recent advances in understanding the role of HES6 in cancers.

The NOTCH signaling system regulates a variety of cellular processes during embryonic development and homeostasis maintenance in different tissues and contexts. Hence, dysregulation of NOTCH signaling is associated with a plethora of human cancers, and there have been multiple efforts to target key components of this pathway. In this review, we briefly highlight the latest research advances in understanding HES6, a poorly studied component of the NOTCH pathway. We summarize the role of HES6 in cancers with a focus on uveal melanoma. Finally, we discuss the ongoing efforts to target the NOTCH-HES6 axis in cancers.

OCT-angiography for the diagnosis of radiation maculopathy in patients treated with proton beam therapy: A 2-year prospective study.

PURPOSE: Radiation maculopathy (RM) is the leading cause of visual acuity (VA) loss after proton beam therapy (PBT) of choroidal melanoma. The aim of this study was to assess the value of optical coherence tomography-angiography (OCT-A) for the diagnosis of RM in patients with choroidal melanoma treated with PBT. MATERIALS & METHODS: This 2-year prospective, descriptive, single-center study included patients treated with PBT for choroidal melanoma. VA measurement, retinography, OCT and OCT-A were performed. Vascular density (VD) in the superficial capillary plexus (SCP), peri-foveal anastomotic ring changes and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) enlargement were studied. RESULTS: Nineteen patients were included in the study. The median baseline melanoma thickness was 5.7 [3.6-8.1] mm. The median melanoma-to-macula distance was 3.5 [2.6-4.6] mm. The earliest signs of RM identified on retinography were hard exudates developing at 12 [12-24] months, followed by retinal hemorrhages at 18 [12-30] months, found in 88.9% and 77.8% of patients respectively. On OCT, the earliest sign was the onset/progression of cystoid macular edema (CME) at 12 [6-12] months, found in 10 patients (52.6%). On OCT-A, 100% of patients presented with a discontinuity of the perifoveal anastomotic ring and a FAZ enlargement after 12 [6-24] months. After 12 months, a VD loss in the SCP by 11.7% and 10.8% compared to baseline, was found in the macular and foveal areas respectively. A significant negative correlation was found between the VA and the VD in the macular SCP (R = -0.43; p = 0.029). CONCLUSION: OCT-A is a reliable and effective diagnostic tool for RM in patients with choroidal melanoma treated with PBT.

Orbital non-HIV immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome after cytapheresis.

The immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome is a phenomenon typically described in HIV patient during the restoration of CD4 count after highly active antiretroviral therapy. Non-HIV immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome has also been described after organ transplantation or immune recovery in neutropenic patients. We report the case of a 50-year-old man who presented to our department with left painful proptosis and ophthalmoplegia 2 days after having performed cytapheresis for a mantel cell lymphoma. Systemic work up and biopsy were performed and symptoms were relieved with intravenous steroids therapy. To our knowledge, this is the first case of orbital non-HIV immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome described in the literature.

Uveitis associated with latent tuberculosis: A comparative study of the impact of antitubercular therapy combined or not with systemic corticosteroids.

PURPOSE: To study the outcome of latent tubercular uveitis (LTBU) treated with antitubercular therapy (ATT) combined or not with adjuvant systemic corticosteroids. METHODS: Twenty patients (27 eyes) with LTBU were included in a monocentric retrospective study and evaluated for the absence of active disease after treatment. Data on the clinical outcomes (active inflammation), vision (best-corrected visual acuity, BCVA) and treatment were collected retrospectively. RESULTS: Fourteen patients received ATT alone and six patients received ATT combined with systemic corticosteroids. The two groups were not comparable in terms of proportion of tubercular panuveitis cases and initial BCVA (59.3 ± 8.2 letters vs 44.2 ± 15.2 letters). There was no significant difference in remission rate and in BCVA between both groups 3 months after ATT discontinuation. CONCLUSION: Patients with LTBU treated with ATT alone had visual and inflammatory outcomes at least comparable to those of patients treated with ATT combined with systemic corticosteroids.

Translation of single-cell transcriptomic analysis of uveal melanomas to clinical oncology.

Uveal melanoma (UM) is an aggressive and deadly neoplasm. In recent decades, great efforts have been made to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of genetics, genomics and molecular changes in UM, enabling the identification of key cellular processes and signalling pathways. Still, there is no effective treatment for the metastatic disease. Intratumoural heterogeneity (ITH) is thought to be one of the leading determinants of metastasis, therapeutic resistance and recurrence. Crucially, tumours are complex ecosystems, where cancer cells, and diverse cell types from their microenvironment engage in dynamic spatiotemporal crosstalk that allows cancer progression, adaptation and evolution. This highlights the urgent need to gain insight into ITH in UM and its intersection with the microenvironment to overcome treatment failure. Here we provide an overview of the studies and technologies to study ITH in human UMs and tumour micro-environmental composition. We discuss how to incorporate ITH into clinical consideration for the purpose of advocating for new clinical management. We focus on the application of single-cell transcriptomic analysis and propose that understanding the driving forces and functional consequences of the observed tumour heterogeneity holds promise for changing the treatment paradigm of metastatic UMs, surmounting resistance and improving patient prognosis.

Prognostic Biomarkers in Uveal Melanoma: The Status Quo, Recent Advances and Future Directions.

Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common malignant intraocular tumour in the adult population. It is a rare cancer with an incidence of nearly five cases per million inhabitants per year, which develops from the uncontrolled proliferation of melanocytes in the choroid (≈90%), ciliary body (≈6%) or iris (≈4%). Patients initially present either with symptoms like blurred vision or photopsia, or without symptoms, with the tumour being detected in routine eye exams. Over the course of the disease, metastases, which are initially dormant, develop in nearly 50% of patients, preferentially in the liver. Despite decades of intensive research, the only approach proven to mildly control disease spread are early treatments directed to ablate liver metastases, such as surgical excision or chemoembolization. However, most patients have a limited life expectancy once metastases are detected, since there are limited therapeutic approaches for the metastatic disease, including immunotherapy, which unlike in cutaneous melanoma, has been mostly ineffective for UM patients. Therefore, in order to offer the best care possible to these patients, there is an urgent need to find robust models that can accurately predict the prognosis of UM, as well as therapeutic strategies that effectively block and/or limit the spread of the metastatic disease. Here, we initially summarized the current knowledge about UM by compiling the most relevant epidemiological, clinical, pathological and molecular data. Then, we revisited the most important prognostic factors currently used for the evaluation and follow-up of primary UM cases. Afterwards, we addressed emerging prognostic biomarkers in UM, by comprehensively reviewing gene signatures, immunohistochemistry-based markers and proteomic markers resulting from research studies conducted over the past three years. Finally, we discussed the current hurdles in the field and anticipated the future challenges and novel avenues of research in UM.

Orbital exenteration: an updated review with perspectives.

Orbital exenteration is a radical and disfiguring surgery mainly performed in specialized tertiary care centers. Orbital exenteration has long been considered the treatment of choice for managing periocular tumors invading the orbit or primary orbital malignancies. Over the past decades, attention has been directed toward reducing the perioperative morbidity by developing new surgical devices and new strategies and promoting cosmetic rehabilitation by providing adequate facial prostheses. Despite these advances, several studies have questioned the role of orbital exenteration in improving overall survival. The last decade has been marked by the emergence of a new paradigm: the "eye-sparing" strategies based on conservative surgery with or without adjuvant radiotherapy and/or targeted therapies and immunotherapies. We summarize the data on orbital exenteration, including epidemiology, etiologies, use of surgical ablative and reconstructive techniques, complications, outcomes, and the related controversies.

New Targeted Therapies and Immunotherapies for Locally Advanced Periocular Malignant Tumours: Towards a New 'Eye-Sparing' Paradigm?

The management of periocular skin malignant tumours is challenging. Surgery remains the mainstay of treatment for localised eyelid cancers. For more locally advanced cancers, especially those invading the orbit, orbital exenteration has long been considered the gold standard; however, it is a highly disfiguring and traumatic surgery. The last two decades have been marked by the emergence of a new paradigm shift towards the use of 'eye-sparing' strategies. In the early 2000s, the first step consisted of performing wide conservative eyelid and orbital excisions. Multiple flaps and grafts were needed, as well as adjuvant radiotherapy in selected cases. Although being incredibly attractive, several limitations such as the inability to treat the more posteriorly located orbital lesions, as well as unbearable diplopia, eye pain and even secondary eye loss were identified. Therefore, surgeons should distinguish 'eye-sparing' from 'sight-sparing' strategies. The second step emerged over the last decade and was based on the development of targeted therapies and immunotherapies. Their advantages include their potential ability to treat almost all tumours, regardless of their locations, without performing complex surgeries. However, several limitations have been reported, including their side effects, the appearance of primary or secondary resistances, their price and the lack of consensus on treatment regimen and exact duration. The aim of this article was to review the evolution of the management of locally advanced periocular malignant tumours over the last three decades and highlight the new paradigm shift towards the use of 'eye-sparing' strategies.