Subconjunctival/perilesional recombinant interferon α2b for ocular surface squamous neoplasia: a 10-year review.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the biologic effect of subconjunctival recombinant interferon α2b (IFNα2b) for the treatment of ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN).


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
Patients with primary or recurrent OSSN treated with subconjunctival injections of recombinant IFNα2b were studied retrospectively.


METHODS
Patients were given perilesional subconjunctival injections of 3 million international units in 0.5 ml of IFNα2b (Intron; Schering-Plough, Kenilworth, NJ) until tumor resolution.


METHODS
Patients were followed up clinically and photographically for evidence of tumor resolution and were monitored for evidence of tumor recurrence.


RESULTS
The authors present a series of 15 eyes (14 patients) that were treated with perilesional, subconjunctival, recombinant IFNα2b. Clinical resolution of the tumor occurred in 13 of 15 eyes. The median time to resolution was 1.4 months (range, 0.6-5.7). In the time of follow-up after lesion resolution (median, 55 months), only 1 of the 15 eyes in the study exhibited disease recurrence, and this occurred 4 months after clinical resolution.


CONCLUSIONS
Perilesional subconjunctival recombinant IFNα2b may be a viable medical alternative for the treatment of OSSN. Future studies will be needed to evaluate the ideal treatment regimen of IFNα2b.
Karp
Carol L
CL
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136, USA. ckarp@med.miami.edu
Galor
Anat
A
Chhabra
Sachin
S
Barnes
Scott D
SD
Alfonso
Eduardo C
EC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D003228:Conjunctiva; D003230:Conjunctival Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D019233:Retreatment; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins