Treatment of conjunctival and corneal intraepithelial neoplasia with topical interferon α-2b

Objective: To evaluate the role of topical interferon alfa-2b (IFNα2b) in the treatment of conjunctival and corneal intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Design: Noncomparative case series. Participants: Five patients with histologically proven CIN or recurrences of proven CIN were studied prospectively. Intervention: After histologic confirmation, patients were given topical recombinant IFNα2b (INTRON A, Schering Plough, Kenilworth, NJ) 1 million IU/ml four times a day. Patients were continued on interferon until complete resolution of the tumor had occurred. Main Outcome Measures: Patients were followed clinically and photographically for evidence of tumor resolution. Results: All patients had complete resolution of the CIN lesion on IFNα2b. The mean time to clinical resolution was 11.6 weeks (range, 4-22 weeks). The mean follow-up was 17.6 months (range, 7-28 months). One patient had a clinical recurrence of his corneal CIN 1 year after tumor resolution. This patient was retreated, resulting in clinical resolution within 6 weeks, and has been tumor free for 8 months of follow-up.