Donor-transmitted melanoma after limbal stem cell transplantation

Abstract

Limbal Stem Cells are a unique cell line located at the corneal limbus. They are responsible for regenerating and restoring corneal epithelial layers. Limbal stem cell transplantation is a promising technique that has been used to treat several hereditary and acquired corneal diseases. Cornea tissue lack vascularity. Hence, there were no special restrictions on collecting ocular tissues from donors with a diagnosis of metastatic melanoma. We are reporting a case of a patient who developed an ocular melanoma after she had limbal stem cell transplantation from a donor with history of melanoma. After this case, Eye Bank Association of America updated the donor criteria to exclude donors with any history of melanoma.

Keywords

• donor-transmitted melanoma
• limbal stem cell transplant
• transplant-related malignancy