Ocular surface toxicity associated with topical interferon  -2b

19, 20 Corneal toxicity associated with high-dose systemic cytarabine is thought to be secondary to the inhibition of DNA synthesis in the rapidly dividing basal corneal epithelial cells. 20 Similarly, the antineoplastic actions of interferon involve immune-enhancing properties as well as inhibition...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inBritish journal of ophthalmology Vol. 91; no. 8; pp. 1087 - 1088
Main Authors Aldave, A. J, Nguyen, A.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published London BMJ Publishing Group LTD 01.08.2007
Subjects
Biopsy
Cataracts
Cell adhesion & migration
Interferon
Medical personnel
Patients
Toxicity
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Summary:19, 20 Corneal toxicity associated with high-dose systemic cytarabine is thought to be secondary to the inhibition of DNA synthesis in the rapidly dividing basal corneal epithelial cells. 20 Similarly, the antineoplastic actions of interferon involve immune-enhancing properties as well as inhibition of cellular proliferation. 21 An alternative mechanism that has been proposed to explain corneal epithelial microcyst formation in association with systemic interferon treatment is increased intercellular adhesion and altered corneal epithelial cell migration via an interferon-mediated increased expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1. 18 The development of the epithelial cysts several weeks after the initiation of topical interferon treatment, whether through inhibition of DNA synthesis, alteration of epithelial cell migration or another mechanism, indicates that IFNα-2b-related corneal epithelial cell toxicity is the most likely explanation for the origin of the microcysts.
ISSN:0007-1161
1468-2079
DOI:10.1136/bjo.2006.107482