Histiocytosis Advancements Parallel Ophthalmic Innovations: The LXXXI Edward Jackson Memorial Lecture.

Purpose: To highlight innovations in ophthalmic oncology through histiocytosis advancements.

Design: Perspective and retrospective review.

Methods: The literature outlining the recent advancements in histiocytosis and ocular oncology was reviewed and combined with trial data and personal recollection. Intersections between these two fields were discussed.

Results: The understanding of genetic mutations in disease-both in which cells they occur and the timing of mutation development-has expanded in tandem for the fields of ophthalmic oncology and histiocytosis. Similarly, advancements in diagnostic and treatment technology in one field can help patients in the other. For example, in one study, cell-free DNA testing reliably detected mutations in 14 of 18 (78%) patients with suspected histiocytosis. This technique has also been used in ophthalmic oncology as an alternative to invasive biopsy to avoid the risk of tumor externalization, vision impairment, and other side effects. These and other advancements have allowed both fields to utilize targeted agents to successfully treat diseases with an actionable mutation; or deliver more targeted chemotherapy via the intraarterial technique.

Conclusions: The explosion of molecular genetics technology and targeted therapies has revolutionized cancer treatment, including histiocytosis and ophthalmic oncology. Recent progress in both fields has shown how these seemingly disparate areas have many intersections, and this speaks to the collaborative spirit that is inherent in clinical research.