Does Chemotherapy Affects Human Corneal Grafts?

Published 2022 - 40th Congress of the ESCRS

Reference: PO247 | Type: ESCRS 2022 - Posters | DOI: 10.82333/d1dm-0z49

Authors: Georgios S. Dimtsas* ¹ , Xanthippi Grammatoglou ² , Theodosia Choreftaki ² , Ioanna Gourgouli ³ , Marilita Moschos ¹

¹1st Department of Ophthalmology University of Athens, Medical School,General Hospital of Athens "G. Gennimatas",Athens,Greece, ²Department of Pathology,General Hospital of Athens "G. Gennimatas",Athens,Greece, ³Department of Ophthalmology ,General Hospital "Sismanoglio",Athens,Greece

Purpose

The aim of our study was to examine, for the first time in literature, any structural differences in the integrity of the corneal grafts from donors who have received and from those who have not received chemotherapy. CD44, the hyaluronan receptor, is a transmembrane glycoprotein which was recognized as a cell adhesion receptor that plays a key role in cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions, cell migration, lymphocyte homing and activation, tumor growth and metastasis. The main haematopoietic form of CD44 has a molecular weight of 85-95 kDa. CD44 is related with the maintenance of normal tissue structure and the proliferative potency of the epithelium.

Setting

It was a research case-series study.

Methods

The immunohistochemical expression of CD44 was examined in 12 corneal grafts obtained from 8 donors. Three grafts were obtained from 2 donors who had received chemotherapy and the rest were obtained from 6 donors who had not received any kind of chemotherapy.

Results

In general terms we did not find any severe structural differences, like a disorganized structure or lack of a cornea layer, amongst the examined grafts. We only noticed mild structural changes. Specifically, stromal oedema was observed in 5 corneas, 2 of which had also polypoid projections, elastosis was observed in 4 corneas, and 3 corneas were normal. Epithelial cells expressed CD44 molecule in all grafts of both groups. Expression pattern was membranous, while no CD44 expression was found on endothelial cells or in the stroma of both groups.

Conclusions

Tumorigenesis and the consequent chemotherapy did not affect the structure and integrity of the corneal tissue in the examined samples. We suggest that corneal grafts from cancer donors are safe and functionally equals to grafts obtained from non-cancer donors.