[Drug therapy for corneo-conjunctival neoplasm].
BACKGROUND
The goal of therapy for corneo-conjunctival neoplasm is lesion removal, with the most widespread procedure being complete tumor resection with or without associated chemotherapy lines. As this sort of procedure entails a high relapse rate (9-52%) the use of adjuvant therapies to reduce the occurence of relapse becomes a need. The administration of a number of topically administered drugs has been used for adjuvant therapy, including mitomycin C, 5-fluorouracil and interferon a 2b.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the clinical experience published regarding the effectiveness of the various drug therapies for cor-neo-conjunctival neoplasm.


METHODS
Information reported on this topic in the Medline database (1966-2004) was searched using corneo-conjunctival neoplasm, 5-fluorouracil, mitomycin C, and interferon ca2b as key words.


METHODS
All papers quoting dosage for drugs used,treatment length, adverse effect development, and clinical response obtained were included.


RESULTS
Papers reporting the use of 5-fluorouracil re few when compared to those quoting other drugs, with a response rate of 88% and a relapse rate of 20%. The use of mitomycin C is widely described in the medical literature with a response rate of 90% and a relapse rate of 13%, but in association with the development of adverse effects in a high percentage of patients. Interferon ca 2b is the last drug to be incorporated in the treatment of these ocular lesions, with a response rate of 100% and a low incidence of adverse effects, with a relapse rate of 4%.


CONCLUSIONS
Mitomycin C is an effective drug, but its use is associated with a high number of adverse events, some of which may lead to therapy discontinuation. Interferon ct 2b has efficacy outcomes comparable to mitomycin C and a lower incidence of adverse effects, which are mostly mild in nature. The use of 5-fluorouracil is relegated to a second-tier status.
Murcia López
A
A
Servicio de Oftalmología, Hospital General Universitario de Elche, Alicante, Spain.
Borrás Blasco
J
J
Alvarado Valero
M C
MC
Navarro Ruiz
A
A
González Delgado
M
M
Martínez Toldos
J J
JJ
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000379:methods; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003230:Conjunctival Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents