title: Metastatic disease from uveal melanoma: treatment options and future prospects.
abstract: Uveal melanoma represents ∼85% of all ocular melanomas and up to 50% of patients develop metastatic disease. Metastases are most frequently localised to the liver and, as few patients are candidates for potentially curative surgery, this is associated with a poor prognosis. There is currently little published evidence for the optimal management and treatment of metastatic uveal melanoma and the lack of effective therapies in this setting has led to the widespread use of systemic treatments for patients with cutaneous melanoma. Uveal and cutaneous melanomas are intrinsically different diseases and so dedicated management strategies and therapies for uveal melanoma are much needed. This review explores the biology of uveal melanoma and how this relates to ongoing trials of targeted therapies in the metastatic disease setting. In addition, we consider the options to optimise patient management and care.
authors: Division of Hematology/Oncology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, USA.
authors: Richard D
authors: RD
authors: Carvajal
authors: Division of Hematology/Oncology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, USA.
authors: Gary K
authors: GK
authors: Schwartz
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, USA.
authors: Tongalp
authors: T
authors: Tezel
authors: Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA.
authors: Brian
authors: B
authors: Marr
authors: Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA.
authors: Jasmine H
authors: JH
authors: Francis
authors: Division of Cancer Services, Mt Vernon Cancer Centre, Northwood, UK.
authors: Paul D
authors: PD
authors: Nathan
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D008967:Molecular Biology; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011379:Prognosis; D014604:Uveal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D000098943:Uveal Melanoma
keywords: Choroid; Ciliary body; Drugs; Iris; Treatment Medical