Interferon for ocular surface squamous neoplasia in 81 cases: outcomes based on the American Joint Committee on...

To assess the efficacy of interferon alpha-2b (IFNα2b) in the management of ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN).

This is a retrospective, nonrandomized interventional case series study of 80 patients with 81 tumors treated with IFNα2b eye drops and/or injection combined with surgical excision when necessary. The main outcome measure was complete response or partial response based on the American Joint Committee on Cancer classification.

The OSSN was classified as Tis (n = 10, 12%), T1 (n = 13, 16%), T2 (n = 6, 7%), T3 (n = 51, 63%), and T4 (n = 1, 1%). IFNα2b was used as immunotherapy alone (n = 22, 27%) or combined with surgery (n = 59, 73%). Overall (n = 81), complete response was achieved in 90% Tis, in 100% T1, in 100% T2, in 94% T3, and in 100% T4. Specifically for immunotherapy (n = 22), IFNα2b alone achieved complete response in 75% (3/4) Tis, in 100% (8/8) T1, and in 70% (7/10) T3. Planned IFNα2b plus surgery (n = 59) achieved control in 100% (6/6) Tis, in 100% (5/5) T1, in 100% (6/6) T2, in 100% (41/41) T3, and in 100% (1/1) T4. Tumor recurrence was noted in 5% (4/81) of cases over a median follow-up of 1 year. Ocular side effects included conjunctival hyperemia (n = 4, 5%), ocular irritation (n = 3, 4%), superficial punctate keratitis (n = 3, 4%), and conjunctival follicles (n = 1, 1%). Systemic side effects included postinjection flu-like syndrome for 1 day (n = 7, 9%).

IFNα2b, when appropriately combined with surgical excision for OSSN, provides complete control in 95% of cases overall, specifically in 90% Tis, in 100% T1, in 100% T2, in 94% T3, and in 100% T4.