Intralesional interferon-α for conjunctival mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma: long-term results.
OBJECTIVE
To report the long-term therapeutic results for patients with conjunctival mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma who were treated with intralesional injections of interferon-α (IFN-α).


METHODS
Prospective, nonrandomized, interventional case series.


METHODS
Twenty eyes of 16 patients with histologically proven conjunctival MALT lymphoma in the absence of systemic disease.


METHODS
Patients were given 1,500,000 international units (IU) of IFN-α (Roferon-A; Roche s.p.a., Milano, Italy) subconjunctivally inside the lesion 3 times weekly for 4 weeks. If there was even a minimal response, a further cycle of 1,000,000 IU 3 times weekly for 4 weeks was administered.


METHODS
Patients were followed up clinically using slit-lamp examination to determine evidence of tumor disappearance or recurrence. In 10 eyes, an incisional biopsy was performed 6 months after therapy to verify the histologic absence of the lesion.


RESULTS
A complete response was obtained in 15 eyes (75%) at the end of first cycle treatment, and in 5 eyes (25%) after further cycles. Seventeen eyes (85%) showed no local recurrence after a median follow-up of 65 months (range, 15-136 months). Three eyes (15%) demonstrated recurrence at variable points after treatment. One patient with stage IIA lymphoma exhibited systemic lymphoma progression.


CONCLUSIONS
Local immunotherapy with IFN-α seems to be an effective and lasting treatment method and provides an alternative to radiotherapy for conjunctival MALT lymphomas. Very few transient side effects were detected.
Department of Ophthalmology, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
Maria Antonietta
MA
Blasi
Alessandra C
AC
Tiberti
Paola
P
Valente
Michela
M
Laguardia
Maria Grazia
MG
Sammarco
Angelo
A
Balestrazzi
Luigi M
LM
Larocca
Emilio
E
Balestrazzi
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003230:Conjunctival Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D007167:Immunotherapy; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D018442:Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D007155:Immunologic Factors; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins