Interferon-alpha therapy of recurrent conjunctival papillomas.

Five patients with multiple, recurrent conjunctival papillomas underwent surgical excision of their tumor and then received interferon alpha-N1, 5 X 10(6) units/m2 (5 Mu/m2), intramuscularly daily for one month. A similar dose was given two to three times per week for the next six months and tapered off or discontinued thereafter. The follow-up period varied from one to four years. Two patients have had no recurrence of tumor. The other three patients have had recurrences of lesser severity upon tapering or discontinuing the interferon, and repeat surgical or laser excision of these lesions has been performed. The presence of koilocytosis and human papillomavirus type 11a DNA sequences was noted in all specimens large enough to examine, whereas papillomavirus structural antigens were detected in only two of five specimens. A regimen of interferon therapy appears to be tumor suppressive, but not curative.