title: Large keratoacanthomas treated with intralesional interferon alfa-2a.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Spontaneous involution of giant keratoacanthomas (KAs) can leave large scars or cause mutilation. Human papillomaviruses have recently been demonstrated in KAs. Intralesional interferon alfa-2a (IFN alfa-2a) has been shown to have activity against different epithelial tumors and to have an antiviral effect.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was conducted to determine whether it was possible to stop extension of large KAs, to accelerate healing, and to obtain good cosmetic results with intralesional IFN alfa-2a.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six large KAs were treated with intralesional IFN alfa-2a.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Regression was obtained in five cases in 3 to 7 weeks with excellent cosmetic results. The main side effect was pain during injection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that this treatment hastens healing and limits scarring.
authors.affiliation: Service de Dermatologie, Hôpital Ste. Marguerite, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Grob
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Suzini
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Richard
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weiller
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zarour
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Noe
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Munoz
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Bonerandi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D007636:Keratoacanthoma / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins