Tumors of the ocular surface include both melanomas and squamous cell carcinomas. Annual incidence of these cancers is approximately 35,000 in the United States and Europe. As in other areas of ocular oncology, there are currently no drugs approved for cancers of the ocular surface. Small tumors may be removed surgically, but larger, complex tumors may require more invasive and high-burden treatments, including radiation, off-label topical chemotherapy and disfiguring surgery. With these limited treatment options, five-year mortality for conjunctival melanomas is approximately 25%.

Ocular surface tumors have been shown to be immunologically ‘hot’, or susceptible to control through normal immune mechanisms and immune-modulating therapies. Bel-sar’s dual mechanism of action makes it a promising approach to the treatment of these cancers. We are currently evaluating the feasibility and safety of intra-tumoral administration in a first-in-human clinical trial of bel-sar in patients with ocular surface tumors.