The treatment of choroidal neovascular membranes by alpha interferon. An efficacy and XXXX study.

@entity1 @entity2194 @entity137 @entity1940 @entity227 @entity5
PURPOSE: The purpose of this phase 2 study was to determine the potential efficacy and safety of systemic alpha interferon in the treatment of subfoveal @entity1940 associated with age-related macular @entity2194 . METHOD: Subcutaneous alpha interferon was administered to 24 @entity1 (24 eyes), and they were prospectively studied. Alpha interferon was administered subcutaneously four times daily at a dose of 3 x 10(6) U/m2 (average total dose, 204 MU). The studied parameters included best-corrected visual acuity, membrane size, blood, exudates, and subretinal fluid. Toxic effects and performance status were graded according to the National @entity5 Institute @entity137 criteria and Karnofsky performance scale, respectively. RESULTS: Of the 24 treated eyes, 5 (21%) showed objective evidence of anatomic improvement, as defined by decrease in membrane size or improvement in fluorescein angiographic characteristics, but in only 3 of these 5 was the improvement maintained. The same three @entity1 achieved and maintained functional success (visual improvement). Two of the five @entity1 with initial anatomic improvement had subsequent membrane recurrence, which resulted in no visual change in one but @entity227 in the other. For the majority of @entity1 , the anatomic and visual status remained the same or became worse after treatment. All @entity1 experienced some degree of adverse reactions involving multiple organ systems. Decreased performance status affected 80% of the @entity1 . CONCLUSION: This study documents that regression of @entity1940 that occurred with alpha interferon treatment was minimal. Toxic effects interfering with @entity1 ' performance status are associated with alpha interferon treatment. Although a randomized trial of interferon versus no therapy may be warranted, fundamental issues (i.e., the biologic properties of interferon versus other more potent agents against @entity1940 , medication dosages, and routes of administration), need to be addressed before embarking on such a trial.
