Absence of lenadogene nolparvovec DNA in a brain tumor biopsy from a patient in the REVERSE clinical study, a case report.

BACKGROUND: Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) is a rare, maternally-inherited mitochondrial disease that primarily affects retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and their axons in the optic nerve, leading to irreversible, bilateral severe vision loss. Lenadogene nolparvovec gene therapy was developed as a treatment for patients with vision loss from LHON caused by the most prevalent m.11778G > A mitochondrial DNA point mutation in the MT-ND4 gene. Lenadogene nolparvovec is a replication-defective recombinant adeno-associated virus vector 2 serotype 2 (AAV2/2), encoding the human wild-type MT-ND4 protein. Lenadogene nolparvovec was administered by intravitreal injection (IVT) in LHON patients harboring the m.11778G > A ND4 mutation in a clinical development program including one phase 1/2 study (REVEAL), three phase 3 pivotal studies (REVERSE, RESCUE, REFLECT), and one long-term follow-up study (RESTORE, the follow-up of REVERSE and RESCUE patients). CASE PRESENTATION: A 67-year-old woman with MT-ND4 LHON, included in the REVERSE clinical study, received a unilateral IVT of lenadogene nolparvovec in the right eye and a sham injection in the left eye in May 2016, 11.4 months and 8.8 months after vision loss in her right and left eyes, respectively. The patient had a normal brain magnetic resonance imaging with contrast at the time of diagnosis of LHON. Two years after treatment administration, BCVA had improved in both eyes. The product was well tolerated with mild and resolutive anterior chamber inflammation in the treated eye. In May 2019, the patient was diagnosed with a right temporal lobe glioblastoma, IDH-wildtype, World Health Organization grade 4, based on histological analysis of a tumor excision. The brain tumor was assessed for the presence of vector DNA by using a sensitive validated qPCR assay targeting the ND4 sequence of the vector. CONCLUSION: ND4 DNA was not detected (below 15.625 copies/µg of genomic DNA) in DNA extracted from the brain tumor, while a housekeeping gene DNA was detected at high levels. Taken together, this data shows the absence of detection of lenadogene nolparvovec in a brain tumor (glioblastoma) of a treated patient in the REVERSE clinical trial 3 years after gene therapy administration, supporting the long-term favorable safety of lenadogene nolparvovec.

Atypical Lipomatous Tumor/Well-Differentiated Liposarcoma of the Orbit: Three Cases and Review of the Literature.

The authors present 3 patients from this retrospective case series to review the clinical findings, imaging, pathology, and treatment of orbital atypical lipomatous tumor/well-differentiated liposarcoma. Pathology of biopsy specimens ranged from spindle cell proliferations mimicking neurofibroma to proliferations of well-differentiated adipocytes. Immunohistochemical stains were positive for murine double minute 2 in 1 case, and fluorescent in situ hybridization showed amplification of murine double minute 2 in 2 cases. Treatments ranged from serial debulking, proton beam irradiation, and exenteration. None of the patients developed metastases. A literature review supported the low-grade nature of this lesion. Orbital atypical lipomatous tumor/well-differentiated liposarcoma is a low-grade, indolent liposarcoma that may be locally invasive. The histologic diagnosis is enhanced with immunohistochemical staining for murine double minute 2 and fluorescent in situ hybridization analysis for amplification of murine double minute 2. Although treatment may vary according to the individual, conservative therapies may be attempted prior to radical surgery.

Digital morphometry of tumor nuclei correlates to BAP-1 status, monosomy 3, gene expression class and survival in uveal melanoma.

Cytologic features such as the shape and size of tumor cells can predict metastatic death in uveal melanoma and other cancers but suffer from poor reproducibility. In this study, we investigate the interobserver concordance of digital morphometry, and correlate the results with BRCA associated protein-1 (BAP-1) expression and BAP-1 gene mutation status, monosomy 3, gene expression classifications and patient survival in uveal melanoma. The average number of cells analyzed in each of 107 tumors, was 1957 (SD 349). Mean time consumption was less than 2.5 min per tumor. Identical morphometric classification was obtained for ≥85% of tumors in all twelve evaluated morphometric variables (κ 0.70-0.93). The mean nucleus area, nucleus perimeter, nucleus max caliper and nucleus to cell area ratio were significantly greater in tumors with low BAP-1 expression and gene expression class 2. Patients had significantly shorter survival if their tumors had low BAP-1 (Log-Rank p = 0.002), gene expression class 2 (p = 0.004), long nucleus perimeters (p = 0.031), long nucleus max calipers (p = 0.029) and high mean nucleus to cell area ratios (p = 0.041) as defined in a training cohort and then tested in a validation cohort. Long nucleus perimeters and long nucleus max calipers correlated with monosomy 3 (Pearson Chi-Square p = 0.006 and p = 0.009, respectively). Long nucleus perimeters also correlated with BAP-1 mutation (p = 0.017). We conclude that digital morphometry can be fast and highly reproducible, that for the first time, morphometry parameters can be objectively quantitated in thousands of cells at a time in sub-µm resolutions, and that variables describing the shape and size tumor nuclei correlate to BAP-1 status, monosomy 3, gene expression class as well as patient survival.

Conjunctival Squamous Cell Carcinoma with Corneal Stromal Invasion in Presumed Pterygia: A Case Series.

AIM: To describe 4 cases of conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with corneal stromal invasion. METHODS: Retrospective, clinicopathologic case series. RESULTS: All patients had prior resections of presumed pterygia. The degree of corneal involvement dictated the extent of surgical management. One eye with localized invasion was treated with lamellar keratoplasty and plaque brachytherapy. Another case with widespread invasion warranted penetrating keratoplasty and eventual enucleation. Two cases were treated medically prior to surgical intervention: one with localized invasion was treated with topical interferon and retinoic acid; another with significant inflammation was treated with doxycycline and fluorometholone. The patient who underwent keratoplasty and brachytherapy had no recurrence after 7 years of follow-up. Those initially treated medically had resections of recurrence but ultimately required enucleation. Histologically, specimens demonstrated SCC invading the deep corneal stroma, with 2 tumors of the mucoepidermoid type. CONCLUSIONS: This series demonstrates the importance of maintaining clinical suspicion of conjunctival squamous neoplasia in pterygia. We recommend that all excised pterygia be submitted for histopathologic evaluation and be carefully evaluated for dysplasia and variants of SCC associated with increased risk of intraocular invasion. Undetected ocular surface squamous neoplasia may give rise to potentially vision- and eye-threatening invasive corneal SCC.

Updates in ophthalmic pathology.

Ophthalmic pathology has a long history and rich heritage in the field of ophthalmology. This review article highlights updates in ophthalmic pathology that have developed significantly through the years because of the efforts of committed individuals and the confluence of technology such as molecular biology and digital pathology. This is an exciting period in the history of ocular pathology, with cutting-edge techniques paving the way for new developments in diagnostics, therapeutics, and research. Collaborations between ocular oncologists and pathologists allow for improved and comprehensive patient care. Ophthalmic pathology continues to be a relevant specialty that is important in the understanding and clinical management of ocular disease, education of eye care providers, and overall advancement of the field.

Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy in Treated Retinoblastoma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and histopathologic characteristics of patients who develop proliferative vitreoretinopathy after retinoblastoma treatment. DESIGN: Retrospective review of three cases of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) that developed after successful treatment of retinoblastoma from 2003 to 2015. SUBJECTS: Three patients with treated retinoblastoma who developed severe PVR and required enucleation. METHODS: Review of clinical charts, fundus drawings, Ret-Cam 3 images, and histopathology specimens. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical and histopathologic characterization of PVR in treated retinoblastoma. RESULTS: Three patients developed severe PVR after sequential thermal laser combined with systemic chemotherapy for retinoblastoma. At presentation patients were 6, 7, and 9 months of age, and all had bilateral retinoblastoma. Time to development of proliferative tissue was 9, 12, and 20 months after initial treatment. Proliferation was characterized by progressive growth of white vascularized tissue with associated traction on the retina and sometimes hemorrhage. All patients underwent enucleation. Histopathologic evaluation revealed treated retinoblastoma tumor with a Type 3 regression pattern, pre- and subretinal fibrovascular tissue consistent with PVR, and reactive changes in the retinal pigment epithelium. None of the patients developed recurrence of retinoblastoma or systemic metastasis. CONCLUSION: PVR uncommonly develops after successful treatment of retinoblastoma and may result in traction or rhegmatogenous retinal detachment along with vitreous hemorrhage. Early stages of proliferation may be difficult to distinguish from recurrent tumor. Enucleation may be required due to poor vision and inability to adequately monitor for tumor recurrence.

Reactive Retinal Astrocytic Tumor (Focal Nodular Gliosis): A Case Report.

PURPOSE: To report the clinical and histopathological findings of a reactive retinal astrocytic tumor (RRAT) that progressed to massive retinal gliosis. OBSERVATIONS: The patient presented with an elevated, white-yellow retinal mass and extensive retinal exudation in the left eye. Progressive enlargement of the mass and proliferative vitreoretinopathy eventually led to phthisis bulbi and enucleation. Histologically, the mass showed a predominant astrocytic component with intense glial fibrillary acidic protein staining, hyperplasia, fibrous metaplasia, and osseous metaplasia of the retinal pigment epithelium. The Ki-67 proliferative index was <5%, and few scattered vascular channels were observed. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE: These findings show that this tumor is the result of a reactive glial process rather than of neoplastic vascular proliferation. Massive retinal gliosis probably represents the advanced stage of RRAT.

Atypical pituitary adenoma with orbital invasion: Case report and review of the literature.

Pituitary adenoma invasion into the orbit is a rare phenomenon with only 22 cases, including the present case, in the literature. Our case is a 31-year-old man who presented with biopsy-proven atypical pituitary adenoma invading the right orbit after a prior resection. We compare his clinical course with previous cases and discuss clinical features, radiological features, management considerations, histologic features, and prognosis. Cases are organized by specific pituitary tumor type to aid in determining appropriate management. Early surgical intervention is the key, especially in the setting of pathologic features indicating aggressive tumor behavior or worsening visual function but is generally not indicated in prolactin-secreting adenomas that may respond to medical therapy. The role of radiation therapy is not fully established; however, it should be strongly considered in conjunction with or after surgery, especially in cases where complete resection is not achieved or histological and molecular analyses indicate a high likelihood of recurrence. More uniform and comprehensive data about management and outcomes are needed to determine the optimal treatment approach for this rare entity.

DISTINCTIVE WHITE FUNDUS LESIONS IN FAMILIAL EXUDATIVE VITREORETINOPATHY: A NEWLY CHARACTERIZED CLINICAL FEATURE.

PURPOSE: To report a novel clinical finding associated with familial exudative vitreoretinopathy in three patients using fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, and histopathology. METHODS: Observational case series of three patients with familial exudative vitreoretinopathy, an ophthalmic examination with fundus photography, and fluorescein angiography were used to document clinical findings between January 2007 and January 2015. Surgical specimens from one case were examined using standard histopathologic techniques, as well as transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray analysis. RESULTS: Distinctive white preretinal granules were noted in all cases and were found to be extramacular in location. Histopathology in one case revealed the granules to be crystalline structures with a regular pattern evident on higher magnification. The chemical constitution was found to be carbon, oxygen, and fluorine. CONCLUSION: Our case series represents the first description of white preretinal granules in association with familial exudative vitreoretinopathy. The authors have not seen these granules in other forms of retinopathy and their presence may aid in differentiating this disease from other entities.

Therapeutic Options for Retinoblastoma.

BACKGROUND: Retinoblastoma is the most common primary intraocular malignancy in children. The management of retinoblastoma is complex and depends on several factors. METHODS: This review provides an update on current and emerging therapeutic options for retinoblastoma. The medical literature was searched for articles relevant to the management of retinoblastoma. The results of prospective and retrospective studies on chemotherapy and focal therapy for retinoblastoma are summarized. Animal models for novel therapeutic agents are also discussed. RESULTS: Treatment strategies for retinoblastoma involve intravenous chemoreduction, local administration routes of chemotherapy (eg, intra-arterial, intravitreal), focal therapy for tumor consolidation (eg, photocoagulation, thermotherapy, cryotherapy, plaque brachytherapy), external beam radiotherapy, and surgical enucleation. Emerging therapies include alternative chemotherapeutic agents, molecularly targeted therapies, and novel drug-delivery systems. CONCLUSION: In the past 10 years, the management strategy for retinoblastoma has significantly changed, shifting toward local chemotherapy and away from systemic chemotherapy. Innovations in the field of molecular biology and the development of targeted therapies have led to improvements in survival rates and ocular salvage for this disease. However, the need still exists to further assess the long-term effects of such directional changes in Therapy.

Pleomorphic Adenoma With Prominent Clear Cell Myoepithelioma Component of the Lacrimal Gland.

A case of a pleomorphic adenoma of the lacrimal gland with a prominent clear cell myoepitheliomatous component was reported. An 81-year-old Caucasian woman experienced a 2-month history of right supraorbital swelling and proptosis. Excisional biopsy revealed a multicomponent lesion including a stromal component featuring glandular structures made of small epithelioid and spindle cells and a trabecular component with small islands of vacuolated cells, displaced nuclei, and clear cytoplasm. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed strong cytokeratin AE1/3 reactivity and focal smooth muscle actin positivity. The pathologic findings including immunohistochemistry results were consistent with a pleomorphic adenoma with prominent clear cell myoepithelioma component.

The Biology of Retinoblastoma.

Retinoblastoma, the most common primary intraocular cancer of childhood, is a malignancy arising in the developing retina. Tumor formation usually begins with mutation in both alleles of the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor gene RB1, followed by a series of other genetic alterations that correlate with the clinical stage and pathologic findings of the tumor. Analysis of sporadic and heritable retinoblastoma led to the development of Knudson's Two-Hit Hypothesis. The tumor suppressor RB1 gene codes for the retinoblastoma protein which is a key regulator of cellular replication via its binding to the E2F family of transcription factors and chromatin remodeling proteins. Studies of preclinical models of retinoblastoma in the form of transgenic mice and xenograft animal models have significantly contributed to the development of effective therapies for this disease. Research on retinoblastoma has paved the way toward understanding many of the mechanisms in cancer genetics.

Optic nerve lymphoma: report of two cases and review of the literature.

Lymphoma may involve the optic nerve as isolated optic nerve lymphoma or in association with central nervous system (CNS) or systemic lymphoma. We present two biopsy-proven non-Hodgkin lymphomas of the optic nerve and compare our findings with previously reported cases. We discuss the mechanism of metastasis, classification of optic nerve involvement, clinical features, radiologic findings, optic nerve biopsy indications and techniques, histologic features, and treatments. We propose a classification system of optic nerve lymphoma: isolated optic nerve involvement, optic nerve involvement with CNS disease, optic nerve involvement with systemic disease, and optic nerve involvement with primary intraocular lymphoma. Although it is an uncommon cause of infiltrative optic neuropathy, optic nerve metastasis should be considered in patients with a history of lymphoma. The recommended approach to a patient with presumed optic nerve lymphoma includes neuroimaging and cerebrospinal fluid evaluation as part of the initial workup, then judicious use of optic nerve biopsy, depending on the clinical situation.

Histopathologic grading of anaplasia in retinoblastoma.

PURPOSE: To determine whether the degree of tumor anaplasia has prognostic value by evaluating its correlation with high-risk histopathologic features and clinical outcomes in a series of retinoblastoma patients. DESIGN: Retrospective clinicopathologic study. METHODS: The clinical and pathologic findings in 266 patients who underwent primary enucleation for retinoblastoma were reviewed. The histologic degree of anaplasia was graded as retinocytoma, mild, moderate, or severe as defined by increasing cellular pleomorphism, number of mitoses, nuclear size, and nuclear hyperchromatism. Nuclear morphometric characteristics were measured. The clinical and pathologic data of 125 patients were compared using Kaplan-Meier estimates of survival. Fisher exact test and multivariate regression were used to analyze the association between anaplasia grade and high-risk histologic features. RESULTS: Increasing grade of anaplasia was associated with decreased overall survival (P = .003) and increased risk of metastasis (P = .0007). Histopathologic features that were associated with anaplasia included optic nerve invasion (P < .0001), choroidal invasion (P < .0001), and anterior segment invasion (P = .04). Multivariate analysis considering high-risk histopathology and anaplasia grading as predictors of distant metastasis and death showed that high-risk histopathology was statistically significant as an independent predictor (P = .01 for metastasis, P = .03 for death) but anaplasia was not (P = .63 for metastasis, P = .30 for death). In the absence of high-risk features, however, severe anaplasia identified an additional risk for metastasis (P = .0004) and death (P = .01). CONCLUSION: Grading of anaplasia may be a useful adjunct to standard histopathologic criteria in identifying retinoblastoma patients who do not have high-risk histologic features but still have an increased risk of metastasis and may need adjuvant therapy.

Hyperplastic corneal pannus: an immunohistochemical analysis and review.

An exuberant corneal pannus usually develops in adults with a history of surgery or trauma in the anterior central stroma and appears as a glistening, vascularized, moderately elevated, well circumscribed white nodule. We describe a 78-year-old woman with such a pannus, which in the past has typically been referred to as keloidal or hypertrophic. The involved eye had only light perception, and she underwent a penetrating keratoplasty that improved her vision to 20/100. Histopathologic and immunohistochemical evaluations of a the specimen disclosed a reactive spindle cell stromal proliferation of myofibroblasts that were smooth muscle actin positive with a low Ki67 proliferation index. Desmin, caldesmon, and calponin were negative, in keeping with the incomplete myofilamentary differentiation of a myofibroblast. There was a generous admixture of CD68/163-positive histiocytes and dispersed C3/5-positive T-lymphocytes. An absence of CD138- and IgG4-positive plasma cells ruled out an IgG4-related disease. For a lesion to be keloidal, the collagen must have a thick hyaline character, sharp edges, and a sparsity of intervening cells and vessels. A hypertrophic pannus would be composed of large swollen cells not necessarily increased in number. We therefore recommend adoption of the term hyperplastic for lesions like that described here because of the obvious increase in cellularity from proliferating myofibroblasts and the lack of true keloidal collagen.

Extruded, partially disintegrated, poly-HEMA orbital implant (AlphaSphere).

A 54-year-old diabetic man underwent enucleation for endophthalmitis. Secondary implantation of a 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) sphere (AlphaSphere, Addition Technology) was performed 2 weeks later. Six weeks after insertion, noninfectious disintegration of sutured tissue planes represented by Tenon's capsule, rectus muscle, and conjunctiva occurred, requiring removal of the fragmenting implant before uncontrolled extrusion occurred. Histopathologic analysis revealed an absence of infectious pathogens and no tissue necrosis, but rather breakup of the implant material that elicited a granulomatous response with sparse T-lymphocytes and almost no polymorphonuclear leukocytes. This distinctively designed poly-HEMA orbital implant incited a dramatic and irreversible host tissue response. Investigation of other cases will be necessary to determine the frequency of such a complication and should include rigorous histopathologic techniques.

Ectopic (choristomatous) orbital respiratory cyst: histopathology and immunohistochemistry.

A 24-year-old woman underwent excision of a slowly growing mass located in the right superomedial orbit that had histopathologic and immunohistochemical findings consistent with a choristomatous respiratory cyst. This rare condition may either arise primarily from embryologic respiratory epithelium rests in the orbit or develop secondarily as the result of trauma or chronic sinus disease complicated by mucocele formation.