This clinical trial focuses on the conservative treatment of patients with retinoblastoma, a rare type of eye cancer that typically affects young children. The study involves several medications, including etoposide, carboplatin, melphalan, and vincristine sulfate. These medications are used in different combinations and methods to treat the disease. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of these treatments in preserving the eye without the need for external beam radiation.
The study is divided into three parts. In the first part, patients with certain types of retinoblastoma receive intravenous chemotherapy with etoposide and carboplatin, followed by a treatment that combines chemotherapy and heat therapy, known as chemothermotherapy. The second part involves patients with more advanced retinoblastoma receiving melphalan through a method called intra-arterial chemotherapy, where the drug is delivered directly to the eye’s blood supply. The third part of the study includes patients with more severe cases, who receive a combination of three drugs, including vincristine sulfate, along with local treatments like laser therapy and cryotherapy, which uses extreme cold to destroy cancer cells.
The study aims to determine how well these treatments work in saving the eye and preventing the need for radiation therapy. It also looks at the side effects of the treatments and the risk of the cancer coming back. The study will follow patients over time to monitor their response to the treatments and any potential long-term effects. The ultimate goal is to find effective ways to treat retinoblastoma while preserving the patient’s vision and quality of life.
France