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RETINOBLASTOMA diagnosed without biopsy. However, lack of biopsy implies
RESEARCH USING that there is no eye-specific diagnostic and prognostic
molecular biomarkers, no personalised treatment plan and
LIQUID BIOPSY limited understanding of “in vivo” tumorigenesis, meaning
no identification of new mutations and chromosomal
alterations that develop.
In an ongoing research, With safe access to aqueous humor, however, there is a
Jesse L. Berry, MD, of USC Roski means of using the liquid biopsy as a surrogate to biopsy
Eye Institute, and colleagues retinoblastoma.
have found that aqueous
humor, obtained safely, can “If a tumor biopsy can give you a snapshot into what’s
possibly be used as a means going on at the level of the cancer, a liquid biopsy gives you
for diagnosing retinoblastoma, a more comprehensive picture of the entire tumor, because
prognosing and monitoring the entire tumor, all the forms of that tumor, are shedding
therapeutic response. At into that liquid,” she said. “And a longitudinal liquid biopsy
present, retinoblastoma, a rare can actually show you how that tumor is evolving over time.”
type of eye cancer that usually
develops in early childhood, is
diagnosed clinically, without CAN BONE MARROW
biopsy, to by-pass the need for
extraocular tumor seeding. PREVENT SIGHT LOSS IN
“Retinoblastoma is the GLAUCOMA PATIENTS?
most common ocular tumor
in children, but it is thankfully
a rare disease,” says Berry. “We Fight for Sight, a leading UK-based charity
know that those cancers start organisation, has funded a new research in partnership with
with genetic mutation but Glaucoma UK and Health and Care Research Wales to find
require other chromosomal out if bone marrow stem cells could help to control the loss of
alterations to grow and thrive. retinal ganglion cells in glaucoma patients.
For most cancers, you see Earlier scientists had found that transplanting bone
something, you biopsy it, you marrow stem cells into a model of glaucoma could prevent
get some molecular information the death of retinal ganglion cells.
that helps with diagnosis,
prognosis and sometimes A team of Cardiff University researchers is now attempting
treatment. But for retinal to find out if these stem cells can also help in preventing
blastoma, the diagnosis is made sight loss in glaucoma patients. The team hopes to separate
on clinical features alone,” she the exosomes from the bone marrow stem cells and compare
clarified. the exosomes from different stem cell types to find out which
ones are more effective and suitable for clinical testing.
According to Jesse Berry, the
classification can also be done According to lead researcher, Dr Ben Mead of Cardiff
clinically, but around 80% of University, “These bone marrow stem cells act as mini
patients usually present with factories, secreting many positive factors which behave as
more serious classifications, protective agents for retinal ganglion cells. If we can isolate
wherein there is only a 50% these exosome packages and replicate the same therapeutic
chance of saving the eye with effects without the need for a transplant, this will not only be
treatment. a safer approach but it is also more effective as higher doses
can be used.”
She further informs that
retinoblastoma can be
| JULY-AUGUST 2021 | 22 OPHTHALMIC NEWS
