Role Of Interferon Aplha 2B (Ifn 2B) In Ossn-Ocular Surface Squammous Neoplasia

The purpose was to study the efficacy of interferon alpha 2b (INF α2b) in the treatment of ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) and analyze its cost effectiveness in private set up in Indian scenario

The study was a retrospective study

This was a retrospective study of forty five patients with OSSN treated with topical INF α2b (1 MIU/cc) ± perilesional INF α2b (5 MIU/cc).The tumor involved cornea (n = 13, 30%), conjunctivo limbal corneal surface (n = 30, 63%), bulbar conjunctiva (n=2, 7%).The mean basal dimension of the tumor was 9 mm.The tumors belonged to Tis (n = 9, 20%) or T3 (n = 36, 80%).

In 9 patients with Tis, three cycles of topical INF α2b were used for immunoprevention. In the remaining 36 patients,INF α2b was advised for immunoreduction, but served as immunotherapy with 100% tumor regression in 31 (92%) cases, and resulted in 95% immunoreduction in 5 (6%) cases.Complete tumor regression by immunotherapy (n = 22) was achieved with a mean number of three topical INF α2b cycles and two perilesional injections. All these 22 patients received three additional topical INF α2b cycles after complete tumor regression.Based on maximum basal diameter of tumor at presentation, the mean total treatment cost per patient with INF α2b was 4100 INR with two patients needing additional surgical excision for complete tumor control

INF α2b can be used for immunoreduction, immunotherapy, or immunoprevention of OSSN. INF α2b is a cost effective treatment modality for OSSN in indian scenerio.