The outcome of subconjunctival pegylated interferon injections on Xeroderma Pigmentosum experience in a tertiary care center

Abstract Purpose This paper aims to highlight the significance of pegylated interferon alpha 2b subconjunctival injections in treating the ocular manifestations and improving the extraocular manifestations of Xeroderma Pigmentosum. Observation Retrospective documentation of 3 cases with histopathologically proven biopsy specimens of Xeroderma Pigmentosum associated neoplasia of ocular surface and eyelids, underwent subconjunctival injections of pegylated interferon alpha 2b and topical cycles of mitomycin-C 0.02%. There was a noticeable decrease in the size of ocular surface squamous neoplasia and the severity of ocular manifestation, with minimal side effects that include flu-like symptoms with mild fever and generalized malaise, which resolved with a single dose of acetaminophen. Only one patient developed leukopenia and autoimmune diabetes mellitus which resolved after discontinuation of the PEG-IFN-sα-2b and might have been due to the long-term use of PEG-IFN-α-2b in this patient. Conclusion & Importance: The literature on the specifics of ocular care using PEG-IFN-α-2b for XP associated OSSN is not well studied. However, according to our patient experience, the combination of PEG-IFN-α-2b subconjunctival injection and the topical cycles of mitomycin-C 0.02% seems to be a viable lifelong medical alternative as a treatment and preventive modality for XP patients.