Question: MEK inhibitors (inhibit the mitogen- activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) kinase) are a relatively new class of chemotherapeutic agents used in the treatment of a variety of metastatic cancers. These agents have been associated with the development of ocular toxicity. What is the nature of this toxicity?
According to the cited reference “As the ocular toxicity associated with MEK inhibitors is a relatively new discovery, very little is known about the mechanism of these ocular events. The majority of ocular toxicities reported with MEK inhibitors have occurred at the level of the retina with the two most common and sight-threatening events being retinal vein occlusion and sub-retinal fluid accumulation.” (Duncan KE et al. MEK inhibitors: a new class of chemotherapeutic agents with ocular toxicity. 2015 Eye 29:1003-1012)