BACKGROUND: Topical interferon alpha-2b (IFNalpha-2b) eye drops suppress tumor growth through the activation of host immunity on the ocular surface. Conjunctival malignant melanoma, a rare malignant tumor in Japan, develops local recurrence and lymph node metastasis. We herein report two cases with conjunctival melanoma treated with topical IFNalpha-2b eye drops. CASES: Case 1, a 77-year-old woman presented with temporal conjunctival pigmented nodules, simulating primary acquired melanosis (PAM) on the cornea and around the conjunctiva OD. Case 2, an 84-year-old woman, presented with nasal conjunctival pigmented nodules and PAM OD. Both patients underwent tumor excision and IFNalpha-2b drops four times per day for half a year. Histologically, the excised conjunctival nodules of both patients were diagnosed with malignant melanoma. There was no local recurrence or distant metastasis 24 months after tumor resection. CONCLUSIONS: Topical IFNa-2b is a useful adjuvant treatment in patients with conjunctival malignant melanoma, following tumor resection.
BACKGROUND: Topical interferon alpha-2b (IFNalpha-2b) eye drops suppress tumor growth through the activation of host immunity on the ocular surface. Conjunctival malignant melanoma, a rare malignant tumor in Japan, develops local recurrence and lymph node metastasis. We herein report two cases with conjunctival melanoma treated with topical IFNalpha-2b eye drops. CASES: Case 1, a 77-year-old woman presented with temporal conjunctival pigmented nodules, simulating primary acquired melanosis (PAM) on the cornea and around the conjunctiva OD. Case 2, an 84-year-old woman, presented with nasal conjunctival pigmented nodules and PAM OD. Both patients underwent tumor excision and IFNalpha-2b drops four times per day for half a year. Histologically, the excised conjunctival nodules of both patients were diagnosed with malignant melanoma. There was no local recurrence or distant metastasis 24 months after tumor resection. CONCLUSIONS: Topical IFNa-2b is a useful adjuvant treatment in patients with conjunctival malignant melanoma, following tumor resection.
Authors: Mak B Djulbegovic; Vladimir N Uversky; J William Harbour; Anat Galor; Carol L Karp Journal: Genes (Basel) Date: 2021-10-15 Impact factor: 4.096