Intra-arterial and oral digoxin therapy for retinoblastoma.

Author(s): Patel M, Paulus YM, Gobin YP, Djaballah H, Marr B, Dunkel IJ, Brodie S, Antczak C, Folberg R, Abramson DH

Affiliation(s): Ophthalmic Oncology Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA.

Publication date & source: 2011-09, Ophthalmic Genet., 32(3):147-50. Epub 2011 Mar 29.

Publication type: Case Reports; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PURPOSE: Preclinical studies demonstrate that cardiac glycosides such as ouabain and digoxin have antitumor effects on retinoblastoma cells in vitro and in a xenograft murine model of retinoblastoma. METHODS: Based on these findings, we report a case of intra-arterial followed by systemic oral digoxin therapy in a patient with unilateral retinoblastoma that had failed prior intra-arterial chemotherapy. RESULTS: Oral administration of digoxin produced no effect, while intra-arterial digoxin therapy produced a modest but measurable response that was likely limited by the inability to achieve sustained drug concentration in the eye. CONCLUSIONS: This case highlights both the potential promise and limitations of cardiac glycoside therapy in retinoblastoma.