Topical Interferon α-2b as a Single Therapy for Primary Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical interferon α-2b (IFNα2b) as a single therapy for primary ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN).

METHODS

Medical records of 24 eyes of 24 patients with primary OSSN were reviewed retrospectively. The diagnosis of OSSN was primarily based on the slit-lamp examination. All cases were treated with topical IFNα2b (1 million IU/mL) 4 times daily. The duration of treatment, tumor response, adverse effects, and number of vials of topical IFNα2b were noted. Complete response was defined as total disappearance of lesions.

RESULTS

The complete remission of the tumor was observed in 22 patients (91.6%). Two patients (8.3%) did not respond to the treatment. The mean age was 62.44 ± 13.65 years (range, 50-92 years). The mean follow-up period was 18.81 ± 3.81 months (range, 14-22 months). The median greatest linear dimension was 6 mm (range, 5.2-12 mm). In all successful remissions, the median time to lesion resolution was 3.25 months. Adverse effects of topical IFNα2b included spontaneous intratumoral bleeding after 3 weeks of topical therapy in 1 patient. No long-term complication or recurrence was found at the end of the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

Topical IFNα2b is effective and safe as a single therapy in the management of primary OSSN with minimal self-limited adverse effects. It may provide the least invasive way of treating OSSN.