Investigating the effects of docetaxel on rat eye

Abstract

AbstractPurposeDocetaxel (DTX) is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent in breast, prostate and lung cancers. Approximetly 60% of patients face ocular disorders including epiphora, stye, blepharedema, dacryostenosis, corneal and conjunctival disorders, entropion and blurred vision. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of DTX on rat eyeMethodsThis study mainly planned to assess the alopecia effect of DTX, but the remained eye tissues have been evaluated to decrease the animal number used in medical researches. 6‐8 months old albino male Wistar rats (n = 7) were given 10 mg/kg intraperitoneally (i.p) DTX treatment three times at the 0th, 8th, 15th days. Control group (n = 6) was administered serum physiologic i.p once a week. The ocular tissues are taken at the 22nd day and evaluated by Hematoxylin&Eosin staining. TGF‐beta and TNF‐alfa stains were planned.ResultsPreliminary results of this study revealed conjunctival epithelial degeneration, corneal neovascularization, mild‐severe retinal nerve fibre layer degeneration, inflammation and cystic dilatation of lacrimal gland, increased capillary vessel density and vacuolar degeneration of optic nerve. The findings were demonstrated in Fig 1,2 and 3.ConclusionsDTX cause serious ocular disorders and this is the first experimental study investigating these effects histologically. Increasing number of cancer cases and frequent use of Docetaxel, urges ophthalmologist to be aware of its ocular side effects.