Nanoparticles for uveal melanoma treatment

Chemotherapy is a common treatment for uveal melanoma. Rapid clearance of injected drug from the vitreous, necessitates repeated injections in to the eye. We have investigated the use of hydrogel particles to deliver chemotherapeutic drugs to the uveal melanoma site. Fluorescent dye-labeled nano- and micro-particles were injected intravenously into the animal. Particle accumulation in the uveal tissue was studied. The nanoparticles showed a much higher accumulation in the uveal tissue than the microparticles. The optimal particle size is between 100 and 300 nm. These particles could be decorated with targeting moieties and loaded with chemotherapeutic drugs to achieve sustained release at the cancerous site.