title: Retrospective Comparative Study of Topical Interferon α2b Versus Mitomycin C for Primary Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy and safety of topical interferon alpha 2b (IFNα2b) and mitomycin C (MMC) for ocular surface squamous neoplasia.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this retrospective study, medical records of 51 eyes of 50 patients with a diagnosis of primary ocular surface squamous neoplasia were included. All cases were treated with either topical IFNα2b (1 million IU/mL) or MMC (0.4 mg/mL) 4 times a day. The primary outcome measure was frequency of clinical resolution of tumors along with failure and recurrence rates after treatment. Other outcome measures included the duration of treatment and adverse effects associated with both topical therapies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-six eyes were treated with topical IFNα2b and 25 eyes were treated with topical MMC. A complete response was achieved in 23 (89%) and 23 (92%) eyes with topical IFNα2b and MMC, respectively (P = 0.67). The median time to lesion resolution was significantly different between the groups (median 3.5 months in the IFNα2b group and 1.5 months in the MMC group) with an average difference of 1.7 months (P < 0.005). Five (10%) of 51 patients showed no or partial response to topical therapy. Subsequently, they underwent surgical excision. Adverse effects occurred in 3 (12%) patients using IFNα2b and 22 (88%) patients using MMC (P < 0.005).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both IFNα2b and MMC seemed to be equally effective topical monotherapies. Despite a prolonged time to lesion resolution, IFNα2b-treated eyes had better safety and tolerance in comparison with MMC-treated eyes.
authors.affiliation: *Cornea Services, Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, India; †Community Ophthalmology, Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, India; ‡Department of Biostatistics, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, India; and §Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, India.
authors.forename: Rakhi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kusumesh
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ambastha
authors.forename: Shishir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Bibhuti Prasan
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Sinha
authors.forename: Nazia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Imam
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000477:Alkylating Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D003230:Conjunctival Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011379:Prognosis; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000477:Alkylating Agents; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016685:Mitomycin