Interferon alpha for the treatment of melanocytic conjunctival lesions.
BACKGROUND
To evaluate the effect of topical interferon alpha-2b therapy in the treatment of melanocytic conjunctival lesions.


METHODS
Non-comparative prospective case series.


METHODS
Nine patients with histologically proven acquired melanosis with atypia and/or conjunctival melanoma were treated with recombinant IFN alpha-2b (Intron A, Essex Pharma, Luzern, Switzerland). The agent was diluted under sterile conditions to one million international units per ml Intron A and packed in single-dose units (EDO) by the pharmacy. It was stored in the refrigerator and applied 5 x 1 drop/day topically by the patient for 6 weeks. The patients were seen after 2 weeks and after the end of the treatment. Endpoint of the treatment was the complete regression of pigmentation or absence of cytological atypia in a re-biopsy.


RESULTS
Seven lesions of nine patients showed regression and lost pigmentation. Three patients required a second cycle after the first therapy because of incomplete regression and one patient needed a third cycle of interferon. Only one of the patients needed a fourth cycle of therapy and additional surgery to show stable regression. The follow-up is 24.8 months (median). No local or systemic side-effects were encountered. The pre- and post-treatment photos of two cases will be presented.


CONCLUSIONS
Our observations suggest that topical interferon alpha-2b might be an effective agent for the adjuvant treatment of melanocytic conjunctival tumors without side-effects. It might be an alternative to other more toxic chemotherapeutical agents. A prospective multicenter study will help to finally evaluate the potential of topical interferon therapy for melanocytic conjunctival tumors, in particular PAM with atypia and minimal invasive conjunctival melanoma.
Herold
Tina Rike
TR
Department of Ophthalmology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Mathildenstr. 8, 80336 Munich, Germany. Tina.Herold@med.uni-muenchen.de
Hintschich
Christoph
C
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D003230:Conjunctival Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008548:Melanosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins