Interferon-alpha therapy for refractory kaposiform hemangioendothelioma: a single-center experience

Area of Science:

• Vascular Oncology
• Pediatric Oncology
• Dermatology

Background:

• Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (KHE) is a rare, aggressive vascular tumor.
• Kasabach-Merritt Phenomenon (KMP) is a serious complication associated with KHE.
• Effective treatments for refractory KHE, especially with KMP, are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the safety and efficacy of interferon-alpha (IFN-α) for refractory KHE.
• To evaluate IFN-α as a treatment option for KHE patients who have not responded to other therapies.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of twelve patients with refractory KHE received subcutaneous IFN-α injections.
• Treatment outcomes, including tumor size reduction and platelet counts (for KMP patients), were monitored.
• Safety and adverse events were recorded during the treatment period.

Main Results:

• Eleven out of twelve patients experienced over 50% tumor size reduction.
• All five patients with KMP showed normalization of platelet counts.
• Treatment response occurred within 10 days to 5 weeks, with a mean duration of 6.3 months.
• No severe complications like neurological damage were reported.

Conclusions:

• Interferon-alpha (IFN-α) therapy is a safe and effective option for refractory KHE.
• IFN-α can be considered as an alternative treatment when standard therapies fail.
• This approach offers a viable solution for managing KHE and associated KMP.