Potential Virus-Based Treatment for Retinoblastoma

Retinoblastoma is an eye cancer that usually affects young children and, at times, adults. The condition makes the nerve cells in the retina change and increase in size and number, which eventually leads to a tumor. Children who inherited the gene related to this disease from their parents are at higher risk of getting it.

In this post, Insight Vision Center discusses a new potential therapy for retinoblastoma.

Early Signs of Retinoblastoma

Most common indication of the disease is that, when the light hits the eye, the pupils look white.

Other symptoms include redness or swelling of the eye and eyes that appear to be focusing in different directions.

If these symptoms manifest in your child or you have noticed something different about their eyes, consult an eye doctor as soon as possible. Trust like orthokeratology experts like Insight Vision Center when it comes to comprehensive and advanced eye exams.

Potential Treatment for Retinoblastoma

A potential new treatment for retinoblastoma is currently being developed. It has been pilot tested in mouse models, and the results were quite promising.

The treatment, named VCN-01, involves extracting a virus that infects and eliminates cells with the abnormal genetic makeup that creates retinoblastoma.

Mice with retinoblastoma who were injected with VCN-01 had slower tumor growth than the mice who underwent chemotherapy. Metastasis was prevented while the time to enucleation was extended.

VCN-01 was replicated with tumor cells in two pediatric patients without resulting in systemic inflammation. However, according to the researchers, this virus-based treatment is still requires further investigation.

Have your eyes routinely checked to ensure they’re healthy. Insight Vision Center is your leading provider of eye care services. We specialize in scleral lenses, vision therapy and ortho-K. Call us at (714) 486-3315, or complete our online form. We help patients in Costa Mesa and Newport Beach, CA.