Treatment of conjunctival squamous neoplasias with interferon alpha 2b

Abstract

The classical approach to the treatment of squamous neoplasias of the ocular surface is based on surgical resection and cryotherapy. High rates of recurrence have been demonstrated if the margins are not free after the resection. Primary or adjuvant chemotherapy with mitomycin C (MMC) or 5-fluorouracil has been employed to treat these neoplasias, but severe side effects on the ocular surface have been described. Interferon (INF) alpha 2b is less toxic to the ocular surface. The experience in the treatment of conjunctiva-cornea intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) with topical or intralesional INF alpha 2b is based on isolated cases or very short series. In this report, we review the published studies and include our personal experience. The safety and effectiveness of INF alpha 2b in the treatment of primary and recurrent cases of CIN are described. The absence of serious side effects after topical administration of INF alpha 2b leads to the recommendation of this modality of therapy for primary and recurrent cases of CIN.