Evaluation of the safety and effectiveness of intravitreous melphalan in patients with vitreoretinal proliferation

• Grant number: 22/16653-2
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: April 01, 2023
• End date: March 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Surgery
• Principal Investigator: Mauricio Maia
• Grantee: Mauricio Maia
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Carlos Augusto Moreira Neto

Abstract

Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment is a common disease that often leads to irreversible visual loss. The presence of vitreoretinal proliferation (PVR) is a factor of greater surgical difficulty and worse visual prognosis, with higher rates of re-detachments.The pathophysiology of PVR involves cell migration and proliferation induced by growth factors and cytokines released by the retinal detachment process. These changes promote the formation of fibrosis and membranes that pull the retina and make it more rigid.Other chemotherapeutics, and medications that inhibit cell proliferation have been used for the prevention and treatment of PVR. However, Melphalan medication has not yet been studied for this purpose, despite acting on chains that could attenuate the pathophysiology of PVR. The medication has been shown to be safe for intraocular use at low concentrations, for use in children with retinoblastoma and adults with vitreorectal lymphoma.The study aims to compare the performance of posterior vitrectomy via pars plana in patients with retinal detachment and PVR, using intravitreal injection of Melphalan in only one of the groups, aiming at a better treatment and functional outcome for these patients. (AU)