Intravitreal GD2-Specific Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy for Refractory Retinoblastoma

Abstract

Effective treatments for advanced, treatment-resistant retinoblastoma (RB) remain limited. GD2-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells show potent antitumor activity with minimal toxicity but have not previously been evaluated in RB. Under compassionate use, a patient with refractory RB received two intravitreal GD2-CAR T-cell injections. Localized ocular inflammation developed around the tumor within 1 week, subsided, and recurred after the second injection. Elevated intraocular pressure required enucleation at 6 weeks. Histopathology demonstrated dense peritumoral lymphocytic infiltration without anterior segment involvement. Intravitreal GD2-CAR T-cell therapy was feasible, well tolerated, and induced localized immune activation and tumor regression, supporting further investigation.