Impact of tumor-associated macrophages in LH(BETA)T(AG) mice on retinal tumor progression: relation to macrophage subtype.

Purpose: To determine the distribution of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) during retinoblastoma tumor development, examine the contribution of bone marrow-derived TAMs in retinoblastoma tumors, and evaluate the supportive role of TAMs in tumor growth in a transgenic retinoblastoma mouse model.

Methods: The time course of macrophage infiltration in transgenic retinoblastoma tumors was assessed by immunohistochemistry at different time points in tumorigenesis. The origin of TAMs in transgenic retinoblastoma tumors was determined by transplanting 10(7) bone marrow cells from green fluorescent protein (GFP)-positive 16-week-old mice into age-matched, irradiated LH(BETA)T(AG) mice via tail vein injections.

Blood vessel maturation in human uveal melanoma: spatial distribution of neovessels and mature vasculature.

Purpose: The aims of this study are (1) to evaluate the spatial distribution of neovessels and mature vessels in human uveal melanoma tumors and (2) to determine whether vessel maturation is associated with the major indicators for poor prognosis.

Methods: Immunohistochemical analyses were performed on human tissue specimens from enucleated eyes (n = 14) to assess total vessels, neovessels, mature vessels, and cell proliferation. Tumor morphology was analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin and modified periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining.

Photodynamic therapy and vitrectomy for a large optic nerve hemangioma with neovascularization and retinal detachment: a clinicopathologic correlation.

Purpose: To report the clinicopathologic correlation of a young man with a von Hippel-Lindau disease-associated peripapillary hemangioblastoma and its satisfactory response to a combination of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and vitrectomy.

Design: Clinicopathologic correlation.

Methods: We studied the case of a 14-year-old boy with an optic nerve mass and large inferior exudative retinal detachment complicated by a significant tractional component from extensive secondary neovascularization over the lesion.

Pediatric nasopharyngeal carcinoma with retinal metastasis.

Purpose: To report an unusual case of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) metastatic to the lungs and retina. To our knowledge, this is the first report of retinal metastasis from NPC.

Design: Observational case report.

Echographic localization of periocular Carboplatin for treatment of advanced retinoblastoma.

Purpose: To study ocular ultrasonography as a means to effectively localize periocular carboplatin in patients with advanced retinoblastoma.

Methods: In a cases series, seven patients diagnosed with advanced retinoblastoma refractory to standard chemotherapy were treated with two to four periocular carboplatin injections. Echographic images were obtained before and after injection.

Bilateral ocular manifestations of aggressive cutaneous metastatic melanoma.

Purpose: To report an unusual case of aggressive cutaneous malignant melanoma metastatic to both eyes. The case is also remarkable for differences from the bilateral diffuse uveal melanocytic proliferation syndrome (BDUMP).

Design: Observational case report.

Tumor volume reduction using combined phacoemulsification and intravitreal triamcinolone injection for the management of cataract with treated uveal melanoma and atypical nevi.

Purpose: To study the reduction in tumor size and the safety and efficacy of combined phacoemulsification and intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection (phaco-IVTA) in patients with treated melanoma and atypical nevi.

Setting: Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami, Florida, USA.

Methods: The medical records of 49 consecutive patients (51 eyes) with treated melanoma or atypical nevi treated with phaco-IVTA were evaluated retrospectively for changes in Snellen visual acuity, tumor volume, and frequency of complications.

Basic fibroblast growth factor impact on retinoblastoma progression and survival.

Purpose: Chemotherapy resistance is a problem in the treatment of advanced retinoblastoma (RB). Since basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a survival factor for neural precursor cells, bFGF was evaluated as a growth and chemoresistance factor in RB.

Methods: bFGF expression was analyzed in the LH-betaTag transgenic mouse model of RB and human RB cell lines by immunofluorescence, RT-PCR, and Western blot.

Heterogeneous tumor vasculature in retinoblastoma: implications for vessel targeting therapy.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to correlate tumor size of retinoblastoma tumor samples with blood vessel maturation to assess how these factors may affect vessel targeting therapy.

Methods: Analysis was performed on retinoblastoma tumor specimens (n = 5) enucleated as primary treatment from May 2005 to February 2006. Tumor size was measured as the largest cross sectional area of the tumor, measured during pathologic assessment.

Mechanism of retinoblastoma tumor cell death after focal chemotherapy, radiation, and vascular targeting therapy in a mouse model.

Purpose: To evaluate the mechanism and timing of retinal tumor cell death in the LH(BETA)T(AG) mouse model of retinoblastoma after treatment with vascular targeting therapies and conventional therapies (focal chemotherapy and radiation).

Methods: For vascular targeting therapy, 12- or 16-week-old mice were treated with a single subconjunctival injection of either anecortave acetate (300 microg) or combretastatin A4 (1.5 mg).