Adjunctive treatment with interferon alpha-2b may decrease the risk of papilloma-associated conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasm recurrence

Cornea. 2004 Oct;23(7):726-9. doi: 10.1097/01.ico.0000126320.36014.d1.

Abstract

Purpose: To report a case of bilateral papilloma virus-positive conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasm and the treatment results of using adjunctive interferon alpha-2b.

Methods: Case report and literature review.

Results: A 73-year-old man underwent subtotal excisional biopsy of the 270-degree gelatinous limbal lesion of the right eye to avoid creating a limbal deficiency and cicatricial change. Total excisional biopsy of the temporal elevated leukoplakic limbal lesion was performed on his left eye. Histology examination showed bilateral intraepithelial neoplasia, and human papilloma virus-16 and -18 were detected by polymerase chain reaction in both lesions. Two supplemental perilesional injections of interferon alpha-2b in the right eye were given, and the residual mass decreased in size gradually and completed clinical resolution 7 weeks following initial surgery. Although no recurrence was noticed in the right eye, recurrence of the conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasm lesion was noticed in the left eye.

Conclusion: Adjunctive therapy might lower CIN recurrence rate, especially in extensive lesions, when surgical excision cannot ensure a tumor-free margin. Our bilateral case provided a good control example for the recurrence with or without adjunctive therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Carcinoma in Situ / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma in Situ / pathology
  • Carcinoma in Situ / surgery*
  • Carcinoma in Situ / virology*
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Conjunctival Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Conjunctival Neoplasms / pathology
  • Conjunctival Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Conjunctival Neoplasms / virology*
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intralesional
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / administration & dosage
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / prevention & control
  • Papillomaviridae / isolation & purification*
  • Recombinant Proteins

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Recombinant Proteins