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Effects of interferon‐α2b on keloid treatment with triamcinolone acetonide intralesional injection
Author(s) -
Lee June Hyunkyung,
Kim Seong Eon,
Lee AiYoung
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
international journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-4632
pISSN - 0011-9059
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2008.03426.x
Subject(s) - medicine , keloid , triamcinolone acetonide , lesion , interferon , surgery , adjuvant , gastroenterology , dermatology , immunology
Background Triamcinolone acetonide intralesional injection (TAIL) has been used for the treatment of keloids, but only with limited success. Interferon‐α (IFN‐α) is the most widely used IFN, and has mainly antiviral, antiproliferative, and antitumoral functions. A few studies have evaluated the efficacy of IFN‐α2b in controlled trials for the treatment of keloids. Objective To compare the efficacy and side‐effects of keloid treatment using IFN‐α2b and TAIL, and TAIL only. Methods Twenty lesions (combined TAIL + IFN‐α2b group) and 20 control lesions (TAIL‐only group) were studied in 19 patients (14 women and five men). The age range was 7–51 years (mean age, 24.6 years). Both groups were treated with TAIL every 2 weeks. The combined TAIL + IFN‐α2b group was treated with intralesional injection of IFN‐α2b, twice a week. Lesion measurements were made using thread, glue, and alginate. Results Statistically significant decreases in depth (81.6%, P = 0.005) and volume (86.6%, P = 0.002) were observed in lesions of the combined TAIL + IFN‐α2b group. In the TAIL‐only group, the decreases in depth (66.0%, P = 0.281) and volume (73.4%, P = 0.245) were less statistically significant. The main side‐effects were fever and flu‐like symptoms, mild pain, and inflammation at the injection site. Conclusions Intralesional IFN‐α2b is an effective and safe treatment for keloids. Although the recurrence rate is as yet unknown, more than 80% improvement was noted in the majority of cases. Hence, adjuvant intralesional IFN‐α2b should be considered, particularly for patients who have a history of failed corticosteroid injections.