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Project Description

Please note that we are a research service provider, not a pharmacy or clinic, so we are unable to see patients and do not offer diagnostic and treatment services for individuals.

Lacrimal Sac Tumors

Lacrimal sac tumors are unusual neoplasms that develop from the components of the eye's lacrimal drainage system. Protheragen is at the forefront of lacrimal sac tumor therapy development, offering a comprehensive suite of diagnostics, therapeutics, preclinical research, and customized services.

Introduction to Lacrimal Sac Tumors

Tumors of the sac lacrimalitis are uncommon tumors that arise from the components of the lacrimal apparatus - lacrimal sac, nasolacrimal duct, and their associated structures. They tend to be benign or malignant, with more than 55-100% of these tumors being malignant. Due to their infrequency, tumors of the lacrimal sacare frequently misdiagnosed as more prevalent conditions like chronic dacryocystitis even leading to untreated delays. The most common presenting symptoms are bilateral epiphora (watery eye), paipable mass at the medial cantus, and, in some cases, blood-stained tears. It is important that these tumors are dealt with in the earliest time possible as they are locally aggressive and have a high rate of recurrence.

Fig.1 An illustration of a possible lacrimal sac lesion (red ellipsoid) shows changes in the concavity of the medial canthal region (dashed line) that result in a less prominent tear trough. (Chu Y. C., et al., 2024)

Diagnostics Development for Lacrimal Sac Tumors

Histopathological Examination
The fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is commonly sygnosed for specific diagnoses like lymphomas owing to the complications and challenges in interpretation. Histopathological classification is inclusive of benign tumors such as papillomas and oncocytomas, alongside malignant lesions of SCC, adenocarcinoma, and melanoma. The presence of certain histological characteristics like pleromorphic nuclei, mitotic figures, and basement membrane invasion is crucial in differentiating malignant tumors from benign ones.

Molecular Diagnostics
Methods like the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) are able to recognize viral DNA, such as that from HPV, and pinpoint genetic changes linked with tumorigenesis. For example, research has shown that HPV DNA is widespread in epithelial lacrimal sac tumors, which is evidence supporting the postulation that it may be an oncogenic factor. Molecular diagnostics also facilitate the classification of lymphomas through the detection of clonal B-cell or T-cell receptor gene rearrangements.

Therapeutics Development for Lacrimal Sac Tumors

Adjuvant Chemotherapy

Some aggressive or metastatic tumors may be treated with chemotherapy following surgical or radiotherapy. Such regimens may include chlorambucil, with or without rituximab, especially in lymphomas. For instance, cases with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma are given chemo and immunotherapy.

Targeted Therapy

Novel therapies are being developed and researched, like immunotherapy utilizing pembrolizumab which was developed for use in most advanced stages of therapeutics, particularly in cancers with certain molecular features. Pembrolizumab, for example, has been effective in treating recurrent adenoid cystic carcinoma.

Our Services

Protheragen spearheads the development of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for lacrimal sac neoplasms. Our services encompass a wide range of advanced technologies and methodologies aimed at improving early detection, accurate diagnosis, and effective therapeutics of these rare neoplasms.

Diagnostics Development

Karyotype Analysis Service
Omics Analysis Service
Biomarker Development Service
Artificial Intelligence Service
Customized Diagnostics Development

Therapeutic Development

Small Molecule Drug
Cell Therapy
Gene Therapy
Therapeutic Antibody
Therapeutic Peptide
Therapeutic Protein
Customized Therapy Development

Disease Models

Experimental Dacryocystitis Rabbit Models
Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction (NLDO) Rabbit Models
Spontaneous Canine Models
Tumor Cell Xenograft Models

Whether it is developing customized therapeutics protocols, designing bespoke diagnostic assays, or conducting specialized preclinical studies, Protheragen's commitment to innovation and excellence ensures that our clients receive the highest quality services. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us.

References

Chu, Yu-Chen, and Chieh-Chih Tsai. "Delayed Diagnosis and Misdiagnosis of Lacrimal Sac Tumors in Patients Presenting with Epiphora: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Outcomes." Diagnostics 14.21 (2024): 2401.
Krishna, Yamini, and Sarah E. Coupland. "Lacrimal sac tumors—a review." Asia-Pacific Journal of Ophthalmology 6.2 (2017): 173-178.