|
Many medical centers across the nation are doing research on
the causes and treatment of eye cancers. These are challenging diseases
to study because they are not common. But each year, scientists find
out more about what causes them and how to improve treatment.
Genetics
Learning more about the gene changes involved in these cancers
will likely play an important role in treating intraocular melanomas,
intraocular lymphomas, and other eye cancers in the future. As we learn
about the genetic causes of these cancers, we may be able to develop
tests to identify people who are more likely to get them and carefully
screen those people. Improved understanding of the genetic changes in
melanoma and lymphoma may lead to gene therapies that correct these
changes. Genetic profiles of tumors may also help predict the
likelihood of the tumor spreading. For example, in uveal melanoma,
certain genetic changes may help predict the risk of metastasis. In the
future, finding out early that someone has these changes may identify
patients who would benefit from further treatment after radiation or
surgery of the eye lesion. This is an active area of research.
Immunotherapies
Cytokines, monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, and other
immunotherapies are among the most promising approaches for treating
melanoma and lymphoma. Although most clinical trials of these
treatments involve people with melanomas of the skin and lymphomas that
begin in lymph nodes, results of these studies are likely to help treat
people with intraocular melanoma and lymphoma as well.
Anti-angiogenesis drugs
In order to survive and grow beyond a certain size, tumors
need to develop new blood vessels. This process is known as angiogenesis. Drugs
that target angiogenesis are already being used to treat some types of
cancer. Several of these drugs are now being studied for use against
eye cancers, including bevacizumab (Avastin), sorafenib (Nexavar),
sunitinib (Sutent), and lenalidomide (Revlimid). Some of these drugs
have additional ways of working against tumors besides their
anti-angiogenic actions. In most cases, they are being studied in
combination with chemotherapy drugs.
Last Medical Review: 03/03/2009
Last Revised: 05/14/2009
|
