Topical Interferon Alpha-2b In Giant Squamous Ocular Surface Neoplasia

Abstract

Purpose : To report a case series of 8 patients clinically diagnosed with giant ocular squamous neoplasia (OSSN) who underwent medical therapy with topical interferon alpha-2b for immunoreduction and immutherapy purposes

Methods : Patients received monthly dosis of topical interferon alpha-2b (1 million IU/mL) for a total of 3 months or with a subconjunctival injection (3 million IU/mL) single dose per week monthly until tumor resolution.

Results :
A total of eight eyes of 8 patients (mean age of 69 y/o) with a clinical diagnosis of unilateral giant OSSN were managed with interferon alpha-2b. Six patients received topical therapy (1 million IU/mL) 4 times per day for a minimum of 3 months for immunotherapeutic purposes and 2 patients received subconjunctival therapy (3 million IU/mL) single dose per week for 1 month for immunoreduction. The median time to resolution was 5 months (range, 1.5-6 months) and the median follow-up was 22 months (range, 6-28 months). Despite the dramatic clinical response, all patients continued with topical interferon alpha-2b at least 1 month beyond complete clinical resolution. The two cases in which immunoreduction was successfully achieved, were scheduled for a lesion excision with a no-touch technique followed by cryotherapy and amniotic membrane to cover the large excision area. There has been no recurrence during follow-up.

Conclusions : In cases of giant OSSN interferon alpha-2b can successfully reduce or achieve complete resolution, thus avoiding the patient a more extensive surgical procedure with its known risks and complications.

This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2016 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, Wash., May 1-5, 2016.