Abstract |
Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is the most common malignant epithelial cancer of the lacrimal gland. Despite a slow rate of growth, ACCs are ultimately associated with poor clinical outcome. Given the rarity of this disease, most recommendations regarding therapy are guided by expert opinion and retrospective data rather than level 1 evidence. Surgery and postoperative radiation therapy are commonly used as initial local treatment. In patients at high risk of recurrence, concomitant platinum-based chemotherapy may be added to postoperative radiotherapy in an attempt to enhance radio-sensitivity. While encouraging responses have been reported with intra-arterial neoadjuvant chemotherapy, this strategy is associated with substantial toxicity and should be considered investigational. For patients with metastatic disease not amenable to surgery or radiotherapy, chemotherapy may have a role based on its modest efficacy in non-lacrimal ACC. Similarly, molecular targeted agents may have a role, although the agents tested to date in non-lacrimal ACC have been disappointing. A better understanding of the biology of ACC will be crucial to the future success of developing targeted agents for this disease.
|
Authors | Christophe Le Tourneau, Albiruni R A Razak, Christine Levy, Valentin Calugaru, Olivier Galatoire, Rémi Dendale, Laurence Desjardins, Hui K Gan |
Journal | The British journal of ophthalmology
(Br J Ophthalmol)
Vol. 95
Issue 11
Pg. 1483-9
(Nov 2011)
ISSN: 1468-2079 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 21183517
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
|
Chemical References |
- Antineoplastic Agents
- Neoplasm Proteins
|
Topics |
- Antineoplastic Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic
(drug therapy, metabolism, radiotherapy, secondary)
- Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
- Eye Neoplasms
(drug therapy, metabolism, radiotherapy)
- Humans
- Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases
(drug therapy, metabolism, radiotherapy)
- Molecular Targeted Therapy
(methods)
- Neoplasm Proteins
(antagonists & inhibitors, metabolism)
|