The Paradigm of Efficacy of Chemotherapy in Association with Different Adjuvant Treatments for Retinoblastoma: A Systematic Review of Literature
Ana Flavia Cardoso Luz
Pará University Center, Brazil.
Carolina Ferreira Alves
Pará University Center, Brazil.
Tanise Nazaré Maia Costa
Pará University Center, Brazil and João Barros Barreto University Hospital, Brazil.
Rita Helena Vallinoto Silva de Araujo
Pará University Center, Brazil , Vallinoto Clinic, Brazil and Outpatient and Specialized Unit of The Municipality of Barcarena, Brazil.
Igor Jordan Barbosa Coutinho
Department of Ophthalmology, Federal University of Pará, Brazil.
Vitor Hugo Auzier Lima *
Universidade Federal do Pará, Brazil and Independent Researcher, ONE Company, Brazil.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The treatment of retinoblastoma, the most common malignant eye tumour in children, has considerably evolved with the combination of chemotherapy and adjuvant treatments. This study conducted a systematic literature review to analyse the effectiveness of chemotherapy associated with different adjuvant therapies, such as thermotherapy, cryotherapy, and immunotherapy, in controlling retinoblastoma. Through a comprehensive search strategy in electronic databases, relevant studies published to date were identified and selected. The inclusion criteria were rigorously applied to ensure the relevance of the selected articles. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of the extracted data revealed patterns and trends regarding the effectiveness of these therapeutic combinations. The results indicated that integrating chemotherapy with adjuvant treatments significantly improved clinical outcomes, promoting better vision preservation and reducing recurrence rates. However, variability in treatment response and the need for an individualised approach were highlighted as fundamental factors for therapeutic success. This systematic review reinforced the importance of a multimodal approach and continuous research to improve therapeutic strategies in the treatment of retinoblastoma, pointing to the need for future investigations that can consolidate and innovate clinical practices in this field.
Keywords: Adjuvant treatments, chemotherapy, cryotherapy, immunotherapy, retinoblastoma, systematic review, thermotherapy