Background: Retinoblastoma is the most common primary intraocular malignancy in children. The management of retinoblastoma is complex and depends on several factors.
Methods: This review provides an update on current and emerging therapeutic options for retinoblastoma. The medical literature was searched for articles relevant to the management of retinoblastoma. The results of prospective and retrospective studies on chemotherapy and focal therapy for retinoblastoma are summarized. Animal models for novel therapeutic agents are also discussed.
Results: Treatment strategies for retinoblastoma involve intravenous chemoreduction, local administration routes of chemotherapy (eg, intra-arterial, intravitreal), focal therapy for tumor consolidation (eg, photocoagulation, thermotherapy, cryotherapy, plaque brachytherapy), external beam radiotherapy, and surgical enucleation. Emerging therapies include alternative chemotherapeutic agents, molecularly targeted therapies, and novel drug-delivery systems.
Conclusion: In the past 10 years, the management strategy for retinoblastoma has significantly changed, shifting toward local chemotherapy and away from systemic chemotherapy. Innovations in the field of molecular biology and the development of targeted therapies have led to improvements in survival rates and ocular salvage for this disease. However, the need still exists to further assess the long-term effects of such directional changes in Therapy.