Intralesional Interferon Alpha-2b Research Articles

Intralesional interferon alpha-2b as a novel treatment for periocular squamous cell carcinoma in horses.

To determine the safety and efficacy of perilesional human recombinant interferon alpha-2b (IFNα2b) for treatment of periocular squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) in horses. Eleven horses (12 eyes) with PSCC were enrolled in this prospective clinical study with owner consent. Systemically healthy horses were included in the study following confirmation of PSCC via biopsy. Every two weeks for a maximum of six treatments, horses were sedated and perilesional injection of IFNα2b (10 million IU) was performed. Tumors were measured prior to each injection and at one, three, and 12 months after treatment completion. A greater than 50% reduction in tumor size was considered positive response to treatment (i.e., partial or complete response). Development of anti-IFNα2b antibodies was assessed using serum samples obtained after treatment initiation and compared with treatment responses. Antibody concentrations were analyzed using a mixed model. Statistical significance was considered p < 0.05. Each horse received four to six perilesional injections of IFNα2b. Five of 12 eyes (4/11 horses) responded to treatment. Two of five eyes showed complete resolution of gross PSCC. No systemic adverse effects were seen. Local swelling occurred during treatment protocol in 6/11 horses but resolved without intervention. All horses developed serum anti-IFNα2b antibodies. There was no evidence of statistical difference in antibody concentration between responders and non-responders. Perilesional administration of IFNα2b was found to be well-tolerated in horses with PSCC, and induced tumor regression in 42% of treated eyes. Treatment failure appears unrelated to the development of IFNα2b antibodies.

Management of Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia with Topical and Intralesional Interferon Alpha 2B in Mexicans.

Ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) is the most common nonpigmented ocular surface neoplasm and it can originate from the conjunctiva and/ or corneal epithelium. Since the rate of recurrence after surgical excision is high, chemotherapeutic and immunotherapeutic agents such as interferon alpha-2b (IFN α-2b) have been used for its treatment. Our objective is to describe the demographic variables of patients with OSSN treated with IFN α-2b and to describe the outcomes of its use in Mexican patients, treated between 2011 and 2017 at Instituto de Oftalmología Fundación Conde de Valenciana. This is a non-randomized retrospective interventional case series. We reviewed the files of patients older than 18 years, with clinical and/or histopathological diagnosis of OSSN, treated with IFN α-2b alone or in combination with surgery, with a minimum of 6 months follow-up. We studied demographic variables, such as gender, age, eye affected and associated risks factors; we also studied the type of therapy with interferon (topical, intralesional and/or associated with surgery), time of treatment, time of follow up, recurrences and complications. A total of 39 patients were included. The mean age of diagnosis was 61 ± 16 years and OSSN was more frequent in males (64.1% of cases). Most of the cases (43.6%) had no identifiable risk factors. The mean time of IFN α-2b treatment was 5 ± 2 months, being higher in the intralesional group (6.5 months) than in the topical group (4.2 months). The clinical resolution with the use of IFN α-2b was evidenced between 0.5 and 10 months, being achieved in 87.1% of the patients. The use of IFN α-2b is effective for the treatment of OSSN with a high success rate (87.1%) and a low incidence of relapse (5 cases), with no reported complications during follow up.

Outcomes of Intralesional Interferon-α2B for the Treatment of Peyronie Disease

We evaluated the efficacy of intralesional interferon-α2b for Peyronie disease, reviewed the impact of the timing of therapy from disease onset and identified variables predictive of a response. We retrospectively reviewed the charts of patients treated with intralesional interferon-α2b from 2001 to 2012. Demographic information, disease characteristics, pretreatment and posttreatment penile duplex ultrasound findings, and objective measures were analyzed. Response was defined as a 20% or greater improvement in curvature. Statistical analysis was done to identify significant changes in variables and identify predictive factors. A total of 127 patients with a mean age of 55 years (range 25 to 76) and a mean±SD pretreatment curvature of 42.4±18.6 degrees underwent a median of 12 biweekly interferon-α2b injections (range 6 to 24). The median history of Peyronie disease was 2.0 years (range 0.5 to 23). Of the patients 54% responded to therapy with an overall mean improvement of 9.0 degrees (p<0.001). Patients with less than 30-degree curvature were most likely to experience a 20% or greater improvement with interferon-α2b (86% response, p<0.001). However, similar overall improvement in pretreatment curvature was noted in all cases. No statistically significant improvement was observed in penile vascular status or ultrasound parameters. The duration of Peyronie disease did not impact the change in curvature. Age, pretreatment curvature, vascular status, penile ultrasound findings, curvature site and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) score did not predict the response to therapy. Intralesional therapy with interferon-α2b resulted in significantly improved curvature without impacting penile vascular parameters. The absolute improvement in curvature was independent of pretreatment curvature or Peyronie disease duration.

Giant keratoacanthoma-type low-grade squamous cell carcinoma of the upper lip: Response to intralesional interferon alpha-2B

Sirs, Giant aggressive keratoacanthoma (KA) is a rare destructive subset of KA that grows rapidly to a large size, and often recurs after surgical management. Here, we present a patient with a soli...

Intralesional Interferon Alpha-2b Therapy for Adnexal Kaposi Sarcoma

To describe a case of adnexal Kaposi's sarcoma successfully treated with intralesional interferon alpha 2b injections. Case Report. A 31 year old black Haitian male presents with severe nodular induration and erythema of both eyelids with hemorrhagic infiltration of the bulbar and palpebral conjunctivae, advanced on the right. Clinical, histological, and immunohistochemical examination yielded the diagnosis of Kaposi's sarcoma. The patient was subsequently diagnosed with AIDS, started on highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) and systemic doxorubicin, and initially received topical 3 million IU per mL of interferon alpha-2b eyedrops (Intron-A(R), Schering Corporation, Kenilworth, NJ) every 6 hours to the right eye for 9 weeks. This systemic therapy resulted in minimal clinical response with a CD4 count increase from 12 to 61 cells per microliter. Progressive entropion and corneal compromise on the right prompted a trial of intralesional injections of interferon alpha-2b. Over a 4 week period, 3 injections (3 million IU in 0.5mL, 1.5 million IU in 0.5mL, and 1.5 million IU in 0.5mL) were given. This resulted in a dramatic reduction in tumor burden and lid edema, an improvement in lid position, and corneal healing. Ocular adnexal and conjunctival Kaposi's sarcoma was successfully treated with 3 adjuvant intralesional interferon alpha-2b injections leading to a dramatic decrease in tumor mass.

Treatment of conjunctival squamous neoplasias with interferon alpha 2b

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.

Surgery of basal cell carcinoma around the lacrimal canaliculus can be necessary after primary treatment with intralesional interferon alpha 2b

Surgery of basal cell carcinoma around the lacrimal canaliculus can be necessary after primary treatment with intralesional interferon alpha 2b

Single-Blind, Multicenter, Placebo Controlled, Parallel Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of Intralesional Interferon α-2b for Minimally Invasive Treatment for Peyronie’s Disease

We investigated the efficacy and safety of intralesional interferon alpha-2b for the treatment of Peyronie's disease. A total of 117 consecutive patients with a mean age of 55.1 years who had Peyronie's disease were enrolled in a single-blind, multicenter, placebo controlled, parallel study to determine the efficacy and safety of intralesional interferon alpha-2b therapy (Schering, Kenilworth, New Jersey), including 62 who received placebo and 55 who received interferon alpha-2b. Saline (10 ml) in controls and interferon alpha-2b (5 x 10(6) U) were administered biweekly for 12 weeks. Each patient was evaluated for penile curvature, plaque size and density, penile pain, erectile function and penile hemodynamics before and after study completion. Improvement in these parameters was statistically compared between the groups. A total of 53 patients in the control arm and 50 in the interferon alpha-2b arm completed the study. Improvement in penile curvature, plaque size and density, and pain resolution was significantly greater in patients treated with interferon alpha-2b vs placebo. The increase in mean International Index of Erectile Function scores was not significantly different between the groups. Penile blood flow improvement was observed in interferon alpha-2b treated patients but not in those who received placebo. The decrease in the number of penile vascular pathologies was significantly higher in interferon alpha-2b cases. Side effects, mostly flu-like symptoms, which were frequently noted in patients on interferon alpha-2b, were mild to moderate in degree and of short duration. This single-blind, multicenter, placebo controlled, parallel study demonstrates that intralesional interferon alpha-2b at a dose of 5 x 10(6) units biweekly for 12 weeks is effective and safe as minimally invasive therapy for Peyronie's disease.

Effect of intralesional interferon-alpha 2b combined with oral vitamin E for treatment of early stage Peyronie’s disease: A randomized and prospective study

Objectives To compare the efficacy and safety of intralesional interferon-alpha 2b combined with oral vitamin E or intralesional interferon-alpha 2b alone or oral vitamin E alone for the treatment of Peyronie’s disease. Methods From January 2000 to March 2002, a total of 30 consecutive men with Peyronie’s disease were randomized prospectively into three different treatment groups. All the patients were assessed objectively with penile duplex Doppler ultrasonography for plaque size, location, and presence of calcification before and after treatment. Subjective data were obtained by querying about the improvement in penile pain and by using the “global efficacy question” for the assessment of the quality of sexual intercourse at the end of the study. A total of 5.0 × 10 6 U of interferon-alpha 2b was given once per week directly into the plaque for a period of 12 weeks. Patients received 400 IU of vitamin E orally twice daily for 6 months. Results At the 6-month follow-up visit, we did not find any statistically significant changes in the objective parameters when compared with the initial findings in each group or among the three groups ( P >0.05). We did not observe any clinically significant improvement in the subjective parameters among the three groups ( P >0.05). However, all patients who were treated with interferon-alpha 2b experienced brief flu-like side effects. Conclusions Our findings indicate that 5 million units of intralesional interferon-alpha 2b injection therapy either alone or in combination with vitamin E does not appear to be clinically effective in the management of early stage Peyronie’s disease compared with only oral vitamin E.

Ineffective Treatment of Keloids with Interferon Alpha-2b

Keloids are exuberant, disfiguring scars that result from an abnormal healing process. Current established treatment strategies include surgical resection, triamcinolone steroid injection, pressure therapy, silicone therapy, and radiotherapy. None of these therapies, either alone or in combination, offers consistent recurrence-free rates above 70 to 80 percent. The antiproliferative, antifibrotic cytokine, interferon alpha-2b, may be useful in keloid management because of its ability to interfere with collagen synthesis and fibroblast proliferation. To determine the efficacy of interferon alpha-2b in keloid management, the authors prospectively evaluated the effects of interferon alpha-2b as postexcisional adjuvant therapy for keloids. Thirty-nine keloids in 34 patients were photographed, measured, and surgically excised. The wound bed was injected twice with either interferon alpha-2b (treatment group; n = 13 keloids) or triamcinolone (control group; n = 26 keloids) at surgery and 1 week later. The patients were followed up in the plastic surgery clinic. The trial protocol was terminated at midtrial surveillance. Among the 13 keloids that were treated with postoperative intralesional interferon alpha-2b, seven recurred (54 percent recurrence rate). In contrast, in the 26 keloids that received triamcinolone (control group), only four recurred (15 percent recurrence rate). Recurrence in either group did not correlate with location of the keloid or race. Interferon does not appear to be effective in the clinical management of keloids.

The Impact of Intralesional Interferon α‐2b Injection Therapy on Penile Hemodynamics in Men with Peyronie's Disease

Penile duplex Doppler ultrasound (PDDU) is currently the preferred method for the functional evaluation of penile hemodynamics. PDDU may be used to monitor objectively changes in penile vascular parameters in men who undergo treatment for Peyronie's disease (PD), including intralesional interferon alpha-2b (IFN alpha-2b). To investigate the impact of intralesional IFN alpha-2b therapy for PD on penile hemodynamics by using PDDU and to assess the objective role of PDDU in monitoring treatment outcomes. Thirty-nine patients (20 in the placebo and 19 in the IFN alpha-2b treatment arm) were enrolled in this prospective, placebo-controlled, parallel study. Patients received either 10 mL saline or 5 x 10(6) units of IFN alpha-2b intralesional injections every other week for a total of six injections. Patients in each group were evaluated at baseline and after completion of treatment regarding changes in penile hemodynamic parameters, penile curvature, plaque size and density, pain on erection, and erectile function. Specific published criteria were used for PDDU measurements. Outcomes were statistically compared between each group by using Mann-Whitney U and chi-square tests. The mean age of the patients and the duration of PD were similar in both groups. The improvement in penile blood flow was significantly greater in IFN alpha-2b-treated patients than those in the placebo group. The number with the nonvascular classification increased significantly in the IFN alpha-2b arm from 31.5% to 57.8%. Additionally, improvements in penile curvature, plaque size and density, and pain on erection were better in the IFN alpha-2b group compared with the control. No significant improvement was observed in the erectile function domain in either group. This study reveals that intralesional IFN alpha-2b injections have a significant benefit on penile hemodynamic parameters. Moreover, intralesional IFN alpha-2b is an effective, minimally invasive treatment for PD, and PDDU is a useful adjunct to monitor objectively changes in penile vascular parameters. interferon alpha-2b injection therapy on penile hemodynamics in men with Peyronie's disease.

935: Single-Blind, Multi-Center, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of Intralesional Interferon Alpha-2b in the Nonsurgical Treatment of Peyronie's Disease

935: Single-Blind, Multi-Center, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of Intralesional Interferon Alpha-2b in the Nonsurgical Treatment of Peyronie's Disease

Systemic remission of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma after intralesional interferon alpha-2B to bilateral conjunctival lymphomas

To report the beneficial systemic effect of a 5-week course of intralesional interferon alpha-2b (IFN-A) injections to bilateral conjunctival lymphomas in a patient with relapsing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Interventional case report. A patient in relapse with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who declined further systemic therapy received 1.5-million IU IFN-A injected intralesionally to each of two conjunctival lymphomas to reduce ocular discomfort. This dose was repeated 10 times over 5 weeks. Conjunctival, postauricular, and facial lesions clinically resolved within 3 months of the start of treatment. Inguinal lymph nodes reduced in size, and the patient reported increased well-being and less fatigue. Side effects included injection discomfort and mild flulike symptoms, which were well tolerated. The improvement lasted 6 months from the first IFN-A injection. Intralesional treatment of conjunctival lymphomas with IFN-A induced disappearance of the tumors and also had a beneficial systemic effect.

Tratamiento del lentigo maligno con interferón alfa-2b intralesional

Abstract—The limitations of cutaneous oncologic surgery have led to the search for new therapeutic modes with better cosmetic and functional results than surgery while offering similar safety and efficacy. Laser therapy, cryosurgery and topical or intralesional immunomodulators are being used with increasing frequency in the treatment of malignant and premalignant skin lesions. In most cases, these treatments are used when surgery will be too mutilating, disfiguring or technically difficult, circumstances that are relatively frequent in locations such as the face or acral areas.The favorable response observed in the treatment of inoperable cutaneous metastases of melanoma with intralesional interferon has led to the testing of its utility in selected cases of primary melanoma, and there are already several works which suggest the efficacy and safety of this drug in lentigo maligna. We describe a case of lentigo maligna located in the outer canthus of the left eye, which was treated with intralesional interferon alpha-2b (IFN-α2b). The lesion disappeared both clinically and histologically with no noticeable adverse effects, and with an excellent cosmetic result. Intralesional interferon may be a valid therapeutic option in selected cases of lentigo maligna.

Treatment of aggressive basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas with intralesional interferon alpha-2b

Treatment of aggressive basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas with intralesional interferon alpha-2b

Comparison of the effects of intralesional interferon alpha 2A, 2B and combination of the 2A and the 2B in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma

Comparison of the effects of intralesional interferon alpha 2A, 2B and combination of the 2A and the 2B in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma

Treatment of Basal Cell Carcinoma with Intralesional Interferon Alpha-2b

We report a series of 11 basal cell carcinomas of various types treated with nine intra-lesional injections of 1.5 million units of interferon alpha-2b. The diagnosis was confirmed histologically in each case. After 3 months' follow-up six tumours had resolved both clinically and histologically. In three cases the tumour size was reduced. One tumour grew larger. Side effects were well tolerated except by one subject who was withdrawn. Those cases which responded have now been followed-up for between 12 and 26 months with no clinical or histological evidence of tumour recurrence. This is the longest period of follow-up so far reported for this novel treatment. The results are encouraging and, if maintained in future series, may indicate a useful role for interferon alpha in the management of this common cutaneous malignancy.

Interferon Alpha 2b Injections Used as an Adjuvant Therapy to Carbon Dioxide Laser Vaporization of Recalcitrant Ano-Genital Condylomata Acuminata

We retrospectively analyzed our treatment of men with anogenital condylomata acuminata (CA) at Hennepin County Medical Center and the University of Minnesota. Between October 1985 and August 1989, 48 patients with CA were treated with laser vaporization, and 27 were treated with laser vaporization followed by a series of intralesional interferon (IFN) alpha-2b injections. The patients in the IFN group were more likely to have perianal CA (44% vs 24%), had larger numbers of CA, and were more likely to have had previous treatment, including previous laser vaporization. The CA in the laser group were more likely to be on the penis alone (67% vs 45%) and had a longer mean duration. The laser-treated group experienced a 38.2% rate of recurrence or reinfection with a mean follow-up period of 13 weeks. The laser and IFN group had an 18.5% rate of recurrence or reinfection with the same follow-up. We conclude that intralesional injections of alpha-2b interferon following carbon dioxide laser vaporization of recalcitrant ano-genital condylomata substantially reduce the risk of recurrence or reinfection.