Outcomes and adverse events following intra-arterial chemotherapy for retinoblastoma: A single center study…

Cohort studyWorld journal of clinical pediatrics· Sep 2025

Outcomes and adverse events following intra-arterial chemotherapy for retinoblastoma: A single center study in South India.

Abhishek Das, Kothapally Saiteja, Parag K Shah … Venkatapathy Narendran

Ocular OncologyCohort studyTreatmentQ1IF 2.9

Intra-arterial chemotherapy achieved complete tumor regression in most retinoblastoma eyes.

Outcomes and adverse events following intra-arterial chemotherapy for retinoblastoma: A single center study in South India.

Abhishek Das … Venkatapathy Narendran

World journal of clinical pediatrics · Sep 2025

Background

Intra-arterial chemotherapy (intra-arterial chemotherapy) has become a first-line standard treatment for retinoblastoma (retinoblastoma).

Purpose

To describe the challenges, treatment outcomes, and complications of selective intra-arterial chemotherapy for retinoblastoma in Indian eyes.

Methods

This study was a single center, retrospective study that included 17 patients with retinoblastoma who underwent intra-arterial chemotherapy using melphalan (5/7.5 mg) and topotecan (1/2 mg) ( n = 12) or melphalan (5 mg) alone ( n = 3) or triple therapy that included carboplatin (30 mg) along with these drugs ( n = 2) between January 2018 and December 2023.

n = 17 patients

Results

88% of treated eyes had complete tumor shrinkage after intra-arterial chemotherapy.

88%

Complete regression

12%

Partial regression

More results

Out of the 17 patients, 11 were diagnosed with unilateral retinoblastoma and 6 were diagnosed with bilateral retinoblastoma.

The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 19.8 months.

The mean interval between the first symptom and presentation was 6.5 months.

More results

Each eye received a mean of 1.5 intra-arterial chemotherapy sessions (median: 1 session; range: 1-3 sessions).

“

Conclusion · 1 of 2

Intra-arterial chemotherapy is an effective way to control retinoblastoma and globe preservation. In the Indian context we encountered many challenges highlighting the importance of case selection.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

Further studies in India are required to thoroughly understand intra-arterial chemotherapy as a treatment for retinoblastoma.

Outcomes and adverse events following intra-arterial chemotherapy for retinoblastoma: A single center study in South India.

Outcomes and adverse events following intra-arterial chemotherapy for retinoblastoma: A single center study in South India.

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