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Intravitreal aflibercept for the treatment of radiation-induced macular edema after ruthenium 106 plaque radiotherapy for choroidal melanoma

  • Oncology
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose

To assess the efficacy of intravitreal aflibercept in patients suffering from post-radiation macular edema following plaque radiotherapy for choroidal melanoma.

Methods

This prospective, interventional case series included patients affected by radiation maculopathy (RM) with macular edema secondary to ruthenium-106 plaque brachytherapy for choroidal melanoma. The effect of intravitreal aflibercept on best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central foveal thickness (CFT) detected by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (sd-OCT), and Horgan’s grading scale of RM was evaluated throughout the 24-month follow-up. Intraocular pressure (IOP) and possible complications were also recorded.

Results

Nine eyes of 9 patients were included. A mean of 4.4 ± 1.2 injections were given over the 24 months. At the end of follow-up, mean BCVA was significantly improved, from 0.9 ± 0.19 logMAR at baseline to 0.56 ± 0.3 logMAR (P = 0.028), and mean CFT was significantly decreased, from 546 ± 123 μm at baseline to 223 ± 34 μm (P < 0.001). Intravitreal aflibercept lowered baseline maculopathy stage as well. No significant change in IOP values and no complications, such as endophthalmitis, was recorded.

Conclusion

Intravitreal aflibercept is an effective treatment for patients with radiation-induced macular edema, allowing functional and anatomical improvements to be achieved with a relatively low number of injections.

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Acknowledgments

We wish to thank Dott. A. Bridgewood of the Scientific Bureau of the University of Catania for language support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy

    Matteo Fallico, Michele Reibaldi, Teresio Avitabile, Antonio Longo, Vincenza Bonfiglio & Andrea Russo

  2. Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Pathology and Oncology Section, University of Catania, Catania, Italy

    Matteo Fallico

  3. Department of Ophthalmology, Ludwigshafen Hospital, Ludwigshafen, Germany

    Argyrios Chronopoulos

  4. Department Gian Filippo Ingrassia, Unità di Anatomia Patologica, University of Catania, Catania, Italy

    Rosario Caltabiano

  5. Department of Radiotherapy, University of Catania, Catania, Italy

    Corrado Spatola

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Correspondence to Matteo Fallico.

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Conflict of interest

Matteo Fallico declares that he has no conflict of interest. Michele Reibaldi declares that he has no conflict of interest. Teresio Avitabile declares that he has no conflict of interest. Antonio Longo declares that he has no conflict of interest. Vincenza Bonfiglio declares that she has no conflict of interest. Argyrios Chronopoulos declares that he has no conflict of interest. Rosario Caltabiano declares that he has no conflict of interest. Corrado Spatola declares that he has no conflict of interest. Andrea Russo declares that he has no conflict of interest.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Fallico, M., Reibaldi, M., Avitabile, T. et al. Intravitreal aflibercept for the treatment of radiation-induced macular edema after ruthenium 106 plaque radiotherapy for choroidal melanoma. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 257, 1547–1554 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-019-04347-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-019-04347-6

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