ALARMING HEMANGIOMAS TREATED WITH INTERFE RON-ALPHA-2B - 7 CASES

Introduction. High-dose corticosteroids are the primary means of contr olling alarming hemangiomas. However, only 2/3 of these life-threateni ng hemangiomas regress or are stabilized with corticosteroids; and for others there is no regularly safe and effective treatment. Contradict ory publications have been reported about the efficacy of interferon ( INF) alpha in hemangiomas, we report our experience concerning the man agement of 7 cases. Patients and methods. Seven infants have been trea ted with INF alpha-2b in our Pediatric Dermatology Unit. All hemangiom as were corticosteroid resistant. Hemangiomas were located on head and neck in 6 cases and on lower limb in one case in association with pla telet trapping syndrome. Mean age at beginning of treatment was 7.5 mo nths and mean duration of treatment was 6 months. INF alpha-2b was giv en daily in subcutaneous injections of 3 millions units per square met er of body surface area. Results. After one month of treatment, 2 case s of facial hemangiomas showed a dramatic improvement, and INF alpha-2 b was maintained for one year. One case was stabilized, but INF was in effective in 3 cases after 2 months of treatment (the child with plate let trapping syndrome died at 4 months of age). The treatment had to b e stopped in one case because of hepatitis. No long term side effects were noted with a mean follow-up of 27 months. Conclusion. INF alpha c an be an interesting alternative therapy for infantile hemangiomas. Ho wever, only a minority of patients can be considered as excellent resp onders at current dosages and long term secondary effects cannot be ex cluded.