Research on Retinoblastoma: An Introduction
Doctors and scientists are hard at work conducting
retinoblastoma research. These studies are designed to answer important questions about this disease and to find out whether new approaches are safe and effective. This already has led to many advances, and researchers continue to search for more effective methods for dealing with retinoblastoma.
Current Focus of Retinoblastoma Research
- Subtenon chemotherapy
- High-dose chemotherapy with stem cell transplants.
Subtenon Chemotherapy
Subtenon chemotherapy refers to the use of drugs injected through the membrane covering the muscles and nerves at the back of the eyeball. This is a type of regional chemotherapy. It is usually combined with systemic chemotherapy and local treatment (such as radiation therapy, cryotherapy, photocoagulation, or thermotherapy).
High-Dose Chemotherapy With Stem Cell Transplants
This form of treatment now under study involves the administration of high doses of chemotherapy and then replacing blood-forming cells destroyed by the cancer treatment. Stem cells (immature blood cells) are removed from the blood or bone marrow of the affected person (or from a donor) and are frozen and stored. After the chemotherapy is completed, the stored stem cells are thawed and given to the person through an infusion. These reinfused stem cells grow into the body's blood cells, restoring them.
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