Aqueous Humor Liquid Biopsy Safe in Pediatric Retinoblastoma

WEDNESDAY, May 14, 2025 (HealthDay News) — For pediatric patients with retinoblastoma, aqueous humor liquid biopsy via anterior chamber paracentesis is a safe and well-tolerated procedure, according to a study recently published online in Ophthalmology.

Douglas Chigane, M.D., from the Children”s Hospital Los Angeles, and colleagues examined the safety profile of aqueous humor liquid biopsy in pediatric patients with retinoblastoma and retinoblastoma-simulating lesions in a retrospective multicenter study involving 1,203 paracentesis procedures performed on 484 eyes of 425 pediatric patients (352 with retinoblastoma and 73 with retinoblastoma-simulating lesions).

The researchers found one mild complication among 1,203 procedures, representing an overall complication rate of 0.08 percent. At a median follow-up of 16 months, no moderate or severe complications were observed, including vision, eye loss, extraocular tumor spread, or death. Across multiple centers, the procedure demonstrated an excellent safety profile, with no permanent adverse outcomes.

“Given the expanding role of aqueous humor liquid biopsy in retinoblastoma diagnosis and treatment, these findings are crucial for guiding clinicians and reassuring parents about the procedure”s safety,” the authors write. “As the field advances, aqueous humor liquid biopsy stands poised to revolutionize the approach to intraocular cancer, offering a minimally invasive, highly effective method for ongoing disease monitoring and personalized care.”

Several authors disclosed ties to the biopharmaceutical and ophthalmology industries.

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