Abstract
Uveal melanoma is the most common primary intraocular tumor in adults. Approximately
50% of patients develop metastatic disease despite successful treatment of the primary
eye tumor. The liver is the most common site of metastatic disease occurring in more
than 90% of patients. Clinical prognosis is dependent on the ability to control the
growth of liver tumors. Locoregional therapies play an important role in stabilizing
liver metastases, prolonging survival for patients with metastatic uveal melanoma.
As overall survival is prolonged, the development of extrahepatic disease becomes
more common. Immunoembolization, a form of liver-directed therapy, not only focuses
on treating hepatic metastases by stimulating the local immune system to suppress
the growth of liver tumors, but it potentially generates a systemic immune response
delaying the growth of extrahepatic metastases as well. The following article discusses
immunoembolization for the treatment of metastatic uveal melanoma including the rationale,
mechanism of action, indications, contraindications, outcomes, and associated toxicities.
Keywords
uveal melanoma - immunoembolization - granulocyte macrophage-colony-stimulating factor
- liver-directed therapy - interventional radiology