Nicole Cicciarelli

Local carboplatin therapy in transgenic murine retinoblastoma

PURPOSE To determine the efficacy and toxicity associated with intraocular delivery of carboplatin in the treatment of murine transgenic hereditary retinoblastoma. METHODS Forty-eight transgenic BLH-SV40 Tag retinoblastoma mice were administered five intravitreal injections of carboplatin in one eye. After 12 weeks, the eyes were examined histopathologically to evaluate tumor burden. Twelve rabbits were administered intravitreal injections of carboplatin in one eye, after which they underwent serial electroretinography. All experimental and control eyes were obtained for histopathology and electron microscopy. RESULTS A dose-dependent inhibition of intraocular tumor growth by carboplatin was observed in transgenic retinoblastoma mice. Tumor development was inhibited in 50% of the mouse eyes at doses of 1.4 micrograms. In rabbits, retinal toxicity resulted when intravitreal injections of carboplatin were administered at doses of 10 micrograms or higher. CONCLUSIONS Local delivery of carboplatin in serial doses effectively inhibits intraocular tumor growth in a dose-dependent manner in transgenic murine retinoblastoma.