Use of recombinant interferon alfa-2b in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Several neoplasms including cutaneous T-cell lymphomas, malignant melanoma and Kaposi's sarcoma have been successfully treated with systemic or intralesional interferons (IFNs). Recently, intralesional alpha-IFN has also been employed in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma (BCC).


OBJECTIVE
The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of IFN alfa-2b in the treatment of BCC.


METHODS
140 patients with BCC were treated with intra- und perilesional injections of recombinant IFN alfa-2b at a dosage of 1.5-3 x 10(6) IU, three times a week for 4-8 weeks.


RESULTS
Complete response was achieved in 94 patients (67.1%), partial response in 33 patients (23.6%) and no response in 13 patients (9.3%). Side effects included fever, headache, fatigue and nausea but were reversible with the use of paracetamol. None of the patients discontinued therapy due to side effects. After a mean follow-up period of 36 months (12-54 months) no relapse has been observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on our results, intra- and perilesional IFN alfa-2b represents an effective, alternative treatment for BCC.
Chimenti
S
S
Department of Dermatology, University of L'Aquila, Italy.
Peris
K
K
Di Cristofaro
S
S
Fargnoli
M C
MC
Torlone
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000209:etiology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012074:Remission Induction; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*
D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins