[Conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma: paradoxical response to interferon eyedrops]

Abstract

Case report: A 67 year-old male seen for a longstanding corneal-conjunctival tumor.

Treatment: topical interferon α2b (IFN-α2b) 10 U/ml. A significant increase in lesion size was observed after 8 weeks. A surgical excision with cryotherapy was then performed. Pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma. At this time the patient was found to have a positive HIV serology.

Discussion: Conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is a pre-cancerous lesion of the ocular surface. Medical treatment of CIN is essentially with IFN-α2b due to its antiviral/antitumor properties. In patients with HIV, treatment response could be paradoxical. We recommend serology for HIV before treatment with topical IFN-α2b.

Keywords: Carcinoma escamoso conjuntival; Human Immunodeficiency Virus; Human Papiloma Virus; Interferon Alpha 2b; Interferón Alpha 2b; Neoplasia escamosa de la superficie ocular; Ocular surface squamous neoplasia; Squamous cell carcinoma; Virus de la Inmunodeficiencia Humana; Virus del Papiloma Humano.