ICG-enhanced TTT effectively treats retinoblastoma

Indocyanine green (ICG) enhanced transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) in combination with ophthalmic artery chemosurgery can effectively treat retinoblastoma refractory without ocular side effects, claims a study.

The single centre, retrospective study, performed by Dr David H Abramson, Ophthalmic Oncology Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre, New York, USA, included 16 eyes of 13 retinoblastoma patients treated with TT and ICG using an indirect ophthalmoscope. The outcome measures were tumour response and electroretinogram.

After treatment significant tumour regression was seen in all eyes. Well-differentiated characteristics were seen in 13 eyes, two eyes had implanting vitreous seeds and one eye was refractory to traditional TT.

All eyes retained ERG function. Meaning ICG-enhanced TTT with ophthalmic artery chemosurgery can treat retinoblastoma, similarly to conventional focal treatments.

The abstract can be viewed in the latest edition of British Journal of Ophthalmology.