title: [Severe hemangiomas treated with interferon alpha-2b: seven cases].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  High-dose corticosteroids are the primary means of controlling alarming hemangiomas. However, only 2/3 of these life-threatening hemangiomas regress or are stabilized with corticosteroids: and for others there is no regularly safe and effective treatment. Contradictory publications have been reported about the efficacy of interferon (INF) alpha in hemangiomas, we report our experience concerning the management of 7 cases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven infants have been treated with INF alpha-2b in our Pediatric Dermatology Unit. All hemangiomas were corticosteroid resistant. Hemangiomas were located on head and neck in 6 cases and on lower limb in one case in association with platelet trapping syndrome. Mean age at beginning of treatment was 7.5 months and mean duration of treatment was 5 months. INF alpha-2b was given daily in subcutaneous injections of 3 millions units per square meter of body surface area.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After one month of treatment, 2 cases of facial hemangiomas showed a dramatic improvement, and INF alpha-2b was maintained for one year. One case was stabilized, but INF was ineffective in 3 cases after 2 months of treatment (the child with platelet trapping syndrome died at 4 months of age). The treatment had to be stopped in one case because of hepatitis. No long term side effects were noted with a mean follow-up of 27 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  INF alpha can be an interesting alternative therapy for infantile hemangiomas. However, only a minority of patients can be considered as excellent responders at current dosages and long term secondary effects cannot be excluded.
authors.affiliation: Unité de Dermatologie Pédiatrique, Hôpital Pellegrin-enfants, Bordeaux.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Léauté-Labrèze
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Labbé
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Grenier
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Berge
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vergnes
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Taïeb
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D013256:Steroids
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013256:Steroids