Five-Year Follow-Up of Patients With Histologically Aggressive Basal Cell Carcinoma Treated With Interferon

Basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) with aggressive histology are infiltrative, destructive, aggressive, and metastatic tumors. Aggressive variants include morpheaform, infiltrative, metatypical or basosquamous, micronodular, and mixed subtypes. Selecting the appropriate treatment is crucial to eliminate this type of tumor and avoid complications such as mutilation and deformities when located in the facial region, as well as tumor recurrence. Interferons may represent a therapeutic option because of their curative potential and long-term cosmetic effects.

A descriptive, longitudinal, observational case-series study was conducted, including patients with a histopathological diagnosis of aggressive BCC. Perilesional HeberFERON was administered for three weeks, and patients were then followed for 5 years. The main outcome variables were cure at 16 weeks and recurrence at 5 years.

Twenty-three patients were included, and one discontinued treatment. After therapy, 14 (63.6%) patients achieved cure (complete response [CR]). Those who did not achieve a CR underwent surgery and were declared cured. All 22 patients were followed for five years; two (9.0%) were lost to follow-up. Survival analysis showed that 86.4% (95% CI, 74%-99%) had the probability of remaining recurrence-free at five years.

HeberFERON can be considered a first-line treatment for BCC with aggressive histology and as a therapy prior to subsequent surgery.