About this study
Retinoblastoma is a rare eye cancer that mostly affects young children. Doctors can often save a child’s life, but saving the eye is harder if the cancer is advanced. Sometimes the cancer can come back, and the eye may need to be removed to keep the cancer from spreading. Right now, there is no test to tell which eyes are most at risk.
In the past, doctors could not take a piece of the tumor to study it because this could spread the cancer outside the eye. Researchers later found that the clear fluid at the front of the eye, called the aqueous humor, can be safely collected. This fluid can carry tiny pieces of tumor DNA that help doctors learn more about the cancer.
In this study, researchers will collect extra fluid and tissue that are already removed during normal eye procedures. They may also collect small samples of the eye fluid at diagnosis, during treatment, or if the cancer comes back. Blood, saliva, or cheek swabs may also be collected. All samples will be stored and tested to look for genetic changes linked to retinoblastoma.
The study will also track each child’s treatment and how they are doing over time. No extra surgeries will be done for research, and families can choose whether to allow optional fluid collection.
The goal is to learn whether genetic changes found in the eye fluid can help predict how the cancer will behave. This information could help doctors make safer treatment plans and may lead to new ways to diagnose and treat retinoblastoma without removing the eye.
Eligibility overview
- Age 0–18 years
- Retinoblastoma in 1 or both eyes