5PSQ-033 Off-label use of interferon alpha 2B eye drops in corneal intraepithelial neoplasia: a case report
Year: 2025
Type: conference-paper
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: Background and Importance Corneal Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN) is the most frequent tumour of the ocular surface. Treatment options include excisional biopsy and topical adjuvant eye drops such as mitomycin (MMC), 5-fluorouracil (5FU) and interferon alpha-2B. The use of interferon alpha-2B eye drops confers advantages compared to 5FU and MMC, mainly the absence of serious adverse effects. The usual dosage regimen for interferon alpha-2B eye drops is 1 drop 2–3 times per day. Aim and Objectives To describe interferon alpha-2B eye drops preparation as a magistral formula as well as to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of this treatment in a patient with CIN. Material and Methods We ran a descriptive study of a 39-year-old man diagnosed with CIN in the left eye. In February 2024, surgical intervention was ruled out due to high-risk of general anaesthesia for the patient because of his medical history: perinatal encephalopathy, obstructive hydrocephalus and West Syndrome. For this reason, physicians decided to start off-label treatment with 1MUI/mL interferon alpha-2B eye drops. Results The elaboration was carried out taking 1mL (5 MUI) from the reconstituted vial of interferon alpha-2B and filling it out with sterile water for injections to get a final volume of 5 mL, resulting in a 1 MUI/mL concentration. The mixture was prepared in a horizontal laminar flow hood. It was filtered through a 0.22µm filter and placed in a sterile eye drop bottle. The preparation was kept in cold storage (2–8°C) and an expiration date of 7 days was assigned once opened. A total of 28 interferon alpha-2B eye drops were dispensed from March to September 2024. The patient presented good tolerance (no adverse effects) but no reduction of lesions and symptoms after 3 months of starting treatment. For this reason, surgery was considered. However, in July 2024 improvements in lesions were observed so it was decided to continue with treatment. In October 2024, no change was observed and the surgery was reconsidered. Conclusion and Relevance The formulation was simple and did not require much preparation time. Our experience shows that interferon alpha-2B eye drops appear to have moderate efficacy in patients with CIN with a safe adverse effect profile, although further studies are required. References and/or Acknowledgements Conflict of Interest No conflict of interest
Authors: MD Torres, A Ganfornina Andrades, AJ Trujillo Baptista, P Villanueva Jimenez, JR Avila Alvarez
Language: English
Subfield: Ophthalmology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
OpenAlex ID: W4408376027