Corneal Findings in Patients Treated with Belantamab Mafodotin: A Prospective Case Series Focusing on Corneal Nerves

Abstract Introduction This prospective case series investigated corneal epithelial and subbasal nerve plexus changes associated with belantamab mafodotin (Belamaf) therapy in patients with refractory/relapsed multiple myeloma using a multimodal imaging approach. Methods We included eight patients (m...

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Main Authors: Jakob Schweighofer, Hermine Agis, Maria Krauth, Ruth Donner, Marion Funk, Jan Lammer, Michal Klimek, Gerald Schmidinger, Julia Aschauer
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Adis, Springer Healthcare 2025-05-01
Series:Ophthalmology and Therapy
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s40123-025-01147-6
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author Jakob Schweighofer
Hermine Agis
Maria Krauth
Ruth Donner
Marion Funk
Jan Lammer
Michal Klimek
Gerald Schmidinger
Julia Aschauer
author_facet Jakob Schweighofer
Hermine Agis
Maria Krauth
Ruth Donner
Marion Funk
Jan Lammer
Michal Klimek
Gerald Schmidinger
Julia Aschauer
author_sort Jakob Schweighofer
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Introduction This prospective case series investigated corneal epithelial and subbasal nerve plexus changes associated with belantamab mafodotin (Belamaf) therapy in patients with refractory/relapsed multiple myeloma using a multimodal imaging approach. Methods We included eight patients (mean age 66 ± 10) scheduled for Belamaf who were monitored for at least three treatment cycles. Standard clinical eye exams with Snellen best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measurements were complemented by epithelial thickness mapping, slit lamp photography, corneal sensitivity testing, and corneal confocal microscopy. Results The mean drop in BCVA was limited to 1 line (20/25 to 20/32) with mean loss in sensitivity from 5.2 ± 0.4 to 8.7 ± 3.4 mg/S. Corneal epithelial thickness increased (from a mean of 62 ± 4.7 to 74 ± 6.2 μm) presenting an irregular pattern from the apex to the mid-periphery. All patients developed microcystic epithelial changes and ocular surface disease. Confocal microscopy revealed a decrease in mean nerve fiber length and density from 12.46 ± 4.94 mm/mm2 and 21.87 ± 10.27/mm2 at baseline to 3.27 ± 3.9 mm/mm2 and 1.78 ± 3.22/mm2 at last follow-up, respectively, with preserved limbal architecture. Conclusion This prospective study confirms and further characterizes the pathognomonic epithelial changes caused by Belamaf, which are accompanied by severe impairment in subbasal nerve fiber architecture, indicating a neurotoxic effect of the medication that requires further investigation.
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spelling doaj-art-45a67b8121cb4beebdf4879352cc753b2025-08-20T03:21:02ZengAdis, Springer HealthcareOphthalmology and Therapy2193-82452193-65282025-05-011471453146410.1007/s40123-025-01147-6Corneal Findings in Patients Treated with Belantamab Mafodotin: A Prospective Case Series Focusing on Corneal NervesJakob Schweighofer0Hermine Agis1Maria Krauth2Ruth Donner3Marion Funk4Jan Lammer5Michal Klimek6Gerald Schmidinger7Julia Aschauer8Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Medical University of ViennaClinical Division of Hematology and Hemostaseology (H.A.), Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical University of ViennaClinical Division of Hematology and Hemostaseology (H.A.), Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical University of ViennaDepartment of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Medical University of ViennaDepartment of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Medical University of ViennaDepartment of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Medical University of ViennaDepartment of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Medical University of ViennaDepartment of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Medical University of ViennaDepartment of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Medical University of ViennaAbstract Introduction This prospective case series investigated corneal epithelial and subbasal nerve plexus changes associated with belantamab mafodotin (Belamaf) therapy in patients with refractory/relapsed multiple myeloma using a multimodal imaging approach. Methods We included eight patients (mean age 66 ± 10) scheduled for Belamaf who were monitored for at least three treatment cycles. Standard clinical eye exams with Snellen best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measurements were complemented by epithelial thickness mapping, slit lamp photography, corneal sensitivity testing, and corneal confocal microscopy. Results The mean drop in BCVA was limited to 1 line (20/25 to 20/32) with mean loss in sensitivity from 5.2 ± 0.4 to 8.7 ± 3.4 mg/S. Corneal epithelial thickness increased (from a mean of 62 ± 4.7 to 74 ± 6.2 μm) presenting an irregular pattern from the apex to the mid-periphery. All patients developed microcystic epithelial changes and ocular surface disease. Confocal microscopy revealed a decrease in mean nerve fiber length and density from 12.46 ± 4.94 mm/mm2 and 21.87 ± 10.27/mm2 at baseline to 3.27 ± 3.9 mm/mm2 and 1.78 ± 3.22/mm2 at last follow-up, respectively, with preserved limbal architecture. Conclusion This prospective study confirms and further characterizes the pathognomonic epithelial changes caused by Belamaf, which are accompanied by severe impairment in subbasal nerve fiber architecture, indicating a neurotoxic effect of the medication that requires further investigation.https://doi.org/10.1007/s40123-025-01147-6BelamafBelantamab mafodotinCorneal nervesConfocal microscopySubbasal nerve fiber changes
spellingShingle Jakob Schweighofer
Hermine Agis
Maria Krauth
Ruth Donner
Marion Funk
Jan Lammer
Michal Klimek
Gerald Schmidinger
Julia Aschauer
Corneal Findings in Patients Treated with Belantamab Mafodotin: A Prospective Case Series Focusing on Corneal Nerves
Ophthalmology and Therapy
Belamaf
Belantamab mafodotin
Corneal nerves
Confocal microscopy
Subbasal nerve fiber changes
title Corneal Findings in Patients Treated with Belantamab Mafodotin: A Prospective Case Series Focusing on Corneal Nerves
title_full Corneal Findings in Patients Treated with Belantamab Mafodotin: A Prospective Case Series Focusing on Corneal Nerves
title_fullStr Corneal Findings in Patients Treated with Belantamab Mafodotin: A Prospective Case Series Focusing on Corneal Nerves
title_full_unstemmed Corneal Findings in Patients Treated with Belantamab Mafodotin: A Prospective Case Series Focusing on Corneal Nerves
title_short Corneal Findings in Patients Treated with Belantamab Mafodotin: A Prospective Case Series Focusing on Corneal Nerves
title_sort corneal findings in patients treated with belantamab mafodotin a prospective case series focusing on corneal nerves
topic Belamaf
Belantamab mafodotin
Corneal nerves
Confocal microscopy
Subbasal nerve fiber changes
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s40123-025-01147-6
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