Retinoblastoma (RB) is a primary intraocular malignancy that forms in the retina of infants and toddlers. Traditionally, RB is diagnosed without tissue as direct tumor biopsy is prohibited due to risk of extraocular spread; tissue can only be obtained once an eye has been surgically removed.
Given this limitation, there are no eye-specific molecular biomarkers in current clinical practice for RB. The lack of in vivo molecular data without removing the eye limits our ability to prognosticate clinical outcomes and develop personalized treatment plans. It also limits our understanding of intratumoral dynamics throughout therapy.
The aqueous humor (AH) is a high-yield source of tumor-derived nucleic acid that can be utilized as a liquid biopsy in eyes with retinoblastoma. Detection of biomarkers from the AH may be used to prognosticate the likelihood of eye salvage and in the future may facilitate targeted, patient-centered therapies based on molecular biomarkers.
OBJECTIVES:
1. Systematically and prospectively record accurate and complete data regarding the clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes of patients diagnosed with RB.
2. Collect, bank, preserve, and analyze biomaterials including AH, blood and saliva from patients with RB.
3. Correlate phenotypic data with genotypic findings from human biomaterials in retinoblastoma patients to identify clinically relevant biomarkers
