Pathological neovascularization may cause or worsen intraocular posterior segment diseases such as diabetic retinopathy. Prevention of aberrant vascularization is thus an important clinical target. Therapeutic antiangiogenic agents are generally used in diffusible monomeric formulation (e.g., injection of anti-VEGF monoclonal antibodies into the vitreous humor). Here, we report the attachment of a therapeutic antiangiogenic motif to a fibrillizing peptide backbone that undergoes nanofibrous self-assembly into an injectable hydrogel. The peptide can persist for extended periods in a target site, prolonging the therapeutic time frame. The injectability of the hydrogel was investigated through rheometric characterization. Biophysical characterization was complemented by in vitro assays to test the antiangiogenic capability of the scaffold. We also tested persistence and biocompatibility of the hydrogel through in vivo implantation. This injectable hydrogel therapy may unlock potential clinical routes for treating neovascular diseases.
Background
Ewing’s sarcoma (ES) within the genitourinary tract are relatively unheard of and those within the external male genitalia are even rarer. To our knowledge, this is the first known case of primary ES within the paratesticular region in an adult.
Case presentation
We present a case of a 24-year-old man with a right sided testicular mass on examination that was initially characterized as an adenomatoid tumor on ultrasound. After the patient was lost to follow up over the course of 9 months, the testicular mass grew significantly and was excised with pathology revealing primary paratesticular Ewing’s sarcoma. This rare case emphasizes the importance of elucidating between the broad differentials of paratesticular masses, including the rare presentation of primary ES and adds a review of the literature of ES in the external male genitalia.
Conclusions
Rare differentials such as this case should be considered in patients with paratesticular masses. Further diagnostic and management algorithms for extraosseous Ewing Sarcoma, particularly in the adult population, are warranted.
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