Perilesional and topical interferon alfa-2b for conjunctival and corneal neoplasia

Ophthalmology. 1999 Jan;106(1):91-7. doi: 10.1016/S0161-6420(99)90009-X.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the role of combined subconjunctival and topical interferon alfa-2b (IFN alpha 2b) in the treatment of conjunctival and corneal intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).

Design: Noncomparative case series.

Participants: Six patients with histologically proven CIN or recurrences of histologically proven CIN were studied prospectively.

Intervention: Patients were given a single subconjunctival/perilesional injection of recombinant IFN alpha 2b (Schering Plough, Kenilworth, NJ) 3 million international units (IU) in 0.5 ml and then started receiving topical interferon drops (1 million U/ml) four times a day. Patients were followed weekly until complete resolution of the tumor. After 1 week, patients with minimal response while receiving topical therapy were retreated with perilesional injections three times a week until resolution. Patients received topical interferon drops for a month after clinical resolution of the lesion.

Main outcome measures: Patients were followed clinically and photographically for evidence of tumor resolution.

Results: The authors present a series of six patients who were treated successfully with a combination of subconjunctival/perilesional and topical IFN alpha 2b. All six patients had complete clinical resolution of the CIN lesion within 6 weeks of initiation of treatment. In the time of follow-up (average, 7.2 months; range, 2-11 months), there have been no treatment failures or recurrences.

Conclusion: IFN alpha 2b may be a viable medical alternative to surgical excision for primary or recurrent CIN.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Topical
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Carcinoma in Situ / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma in Situ / pathology
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Conjunctival Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Conjunctival Neoplasms / pathology
  • Corneal Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Corneal Diseases / pathology
  • Eye Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Eye Neoplasms / pathology
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intralesional
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / administration & dosage
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
  • Ophthalmic Solutions / therapeutic use
  • Prospective Studies
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Ophthalmic Solutions
  • Recombinant Proteins