Advances in Treatment of Uveal Melanoma

A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694). This special issue belongs to the section "Cancer Therapy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 2076

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Ophthalmological Department, Jagiellonian University Collegium Medicum, Ophthalmology and Ocular Oncology Clinic of University Hospital, Kraków, Poland
Interests: uveal melanoma; metastases; treatment
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Guest Editor
Institute of Optics and Optometry, University of Social Sciences, 90-519 Lodz, Poland
Interests: ophthalmic epidemiology; public health; ocular oncology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Uveal melanoma (UM) is adults' most common primary intraocular tumor. The biology and immunology of UM significantly differ from cutaneous melanoma, which requires separate research efforts to elucidate treatment opportunities. Intraocular tumor is currently successfully treated mainly with radiotherapy, such as brachytherapy or proton beam. Surgical methods can also be used, including egzo or endo-resection, and enucleation in the case of some advanced stages. Despite effective local treatment, it is associated with death in approximately 50% of patients due to metastatic disease.  Metastases are mainly to the liver and other organs. We do not yet have effective methods of treating uveal melanoma metastases. Different characteristics of metastases require the development of treatment approaches, continuous use for optimal targeted therapy, and immunotherapy in adjuvant and metastatic settings. Understanding the biological mechanisms of UM development and metastatic spread will help to develop new possibilities for treating metastatic uveal melanoma in genetically and immunologically different groups of patients. The series of articles will be devoted to current data on the biology of UM, immunological, and genetic aspects that influence local treatment and treatment strategies for metastatic disease.

Prof. Dr. Bożena Romanowska-Dixon
Dr. Michał S. Nowak
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • uveal melanoma
  • distant metastases
  • treatment modalities

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 1260 KB  
Article
Unexpectedly Low Rate of Metastasis and Death Among Patients Treated for Uveal Melanoma with Brachytherapy, Vitrectomy, and Silicone Oil
by Axel Rivas, Wolfram Samlowski and Tara A. McCannel
Cancers 2025, 17(16), 2683; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17162683 - 18 Aug 2025
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Abstract
Introduction: Historically, approximately 30–32% of uveal melanoma patients develop metastases and die within 5 years. Larger tumor dimensions and monosomy 3 and/or Class 2 gene expression profile of the tumor are associated with an increased risk of metastasis. We evaluated the performance of [...] Read more.
Introduction: Historically, approximately 30–32% of uveal melanoma patients develop metastases and die within 5 years. Larger tumor dimensions and monosomy 3 and/or Class 2 gene expression profile of the tumor are associated with an increased risk of metastasis. We evaluated the performance of these prognostic markers in patients undergoing surveillance in a community medical oncology practice. Methods: Uveal melanoma patients treated by a single vitreoretinal surgical oncologist and monitored by a single medical oncologist were identified via a clinical database search for analysis. Specified prognostic markers were evaluated for sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, as well as prognostic accuracy. Results: We identified 37 uveal melanoma patients, followed for a median of 4.0 ± 3.7 years. Twenty-seven (73%) patients underwent plaque brachytherapy with vitrectomy and silicone oil for radiation attenuation; seven (19%) patients underwent brachytherapy alone; three (8%) had enucleation. There were no intraocular treatment failures. Six (16.2%) patients developed metastasis, and only one patient died of metastatic disease. Disomy 3 and Class 1 accurately predicted a low risk for metastasis (>90% negative predictive value). However, monosomy 3 and Class 2 had a low positive predictive value and prognostic accuracy in “high-risk” patients. Conclusions: In this single-center cohort, we observed an unexpectedly low rate of 5-year metastasis. AJCC stage correlated poorly with metastasis or survival. Molecular prognostic results of Disomy 3 and Class 1 gene expression profile accurately predicted a “low” risk for metastasis (>90% negative predictive value). Further evaluation of these unique surgical techniques needs to be carried out. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Treatment of Uveal Melanoma)
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Review

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19 pages, 15956 KB  
Review
Clinical Characteristics and Management of Ocular Metastases
by Karolina Gerba-Górecka, Bożena Romanowska-Dixon, Izabella Karska-Basta, Ewelina Cieplińska-Kechner and Michał S. Nowak
Cancers 2025, 17(6), 1041; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17061041 - 20 Mar 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1318
Abstract
Intraocular metastases represent the most common type of intraocular tumors in adults. In most cases, the metastases originate from primary breast and lung cancers. Effective management of patients with intraocular metastatic disease requires a multidisciplinary approach involving ophthalmologists, oncologists, and radiation therapists. The [...] Read more.
Intraocular metastases represent the most common type of intraocular tumors in adults. In most cases, the metastases originate from primary breast and lung cancers. Effective management of patients with intraocular metastatic disease requires a multidisciplinary approach involving ophthalmologists, oncologists, and radiation therapists. The primary goals of treatment are disease control, maintenance of optimal quality of life, and preservation of functional vision. This article provides an in-depth overview of intraocular metastases, with special emphasis on the practical aspects of their diagnosis and treatment based on the most recent literature. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Treatment of Uveal Melanoma)
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