Failure of interferon-alpha 2b in the treatment of mature keloids

BACKGROUND> An unchecked proliferation of fibrous tissue after an injury to the skin is the basic mechanism for keloid formation. Recent studies have shown the inhibitory effect of interferons on dermal fibroblast growth and/or collagen production. Various therapeutic modalities have been used for the treatment of keloids, although only with limited success. There are only a few reports on the use of interferons in the treatment of keloids. To our knowledge no controlled clinical trials have examined the efficacy of intralesional interferon-alpha 2b on mature keloid lesions. In this study, recombinant human interferon-alpha 2b was examined for its ability to modify keloids clinically.

Twenty-two patients with at least two mature keloids were studied twice weekly for 3 weeks. Patients were treated by injection of recombinant human interferon-alpha 2b, 0.5 million per cm2 of keloid, into one lesional site and diluent alone into another lesional site. Lesions were measured before and on days 8, 15, 22, and 29 after starting treatment.

Only 13 of 22 patients could be evaluated at the end of the study; seven patients withdrew from the study because of severe local pain during injection. Three of the 13 patients showed insignificant reduction in the height of keloids after interferon treatment. No serious laboratory abnormalities were detected.