Interferon reduces recurrences of basal cell and squamous cell cancers.
BACKGROUND
Interferon is considered to be an important curative agent for dermatologic diseases. We report the follow-up experience of patients with basal cell or squamous cell carcinomas treated with human natural leukocyte interferon (HNLI).


RESULTS
Among 52 patients with basal cell carcinoma (BCC) treated with HNLI more than 10 years ago, and among 58 treated more than 5 years ago, only 2 recurrences were observed. There were no recurrences in 75 patients who had a complete response to HNLI treatment, nor were there any in 20 patients with either a partial or complete response to r.IFM alpha 2c treatment. Of 52 patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), 31 had been treated more than 10 years earlier, two recurrences of the disease at the site of the original lesion were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Interferon treatment makes it possible to achieve a persistent cure in patients with BCC and SCC in a high proportion of cases. The potential advantage of nonsurgical treatment are an enhancement of cosmetic results through the prevention of destruction of important anatomic structures.
Ikić
D
D
Department of Medicine, Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Zagreb.
Padovan
I
I
Pipić
N
N
Cajkovac
V
V
Kusić
Z
Z
Daković
N
N
Gregurek-Novak
T
T
Soldo-Belić
A
A
Spaventi
S
S
Belicza
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000601:surgery; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012074:Remission Induction; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy
D007370:Interferon Type I; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins