Interferon-alfa for Craniopharyngioma

• Targeted Treatment of Pediatric Craniopharyngioma: Lesson Learnt After 20-Year Experience with Intracystic Interferon Alpha
• Multimodality approach to a pediatric craniopharyngioma with mixed histological features
• Feasibility, tolerability, and first experience of intracystic treatment with peginterferon alfa-2a in patients with cystic craniopharyngioma
• Visual outcomes after treatment of craniopharyngioma in children: A systematic review
• Adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma: evolution in the management
• Treatment of Cystic Craniopharyngiomas: An Update
• Phase II study of peginterferon alpha-2b for patients with unresectable or recurrent craniopharyngiomas: a Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium report
• Vascular complications in pediatric craniopharyngioma patients: a case-based update

see Peginterferon alfa-2a

The indications for interferon-alfa for craniopharyngioma treatment, are predominantly cystic craniopharyngiomas, especially in pediatric patients.

Recurrent cysts after surgery or when radiotherapy is not preferred (e.g., very young age).

When minimally invasive options are desired.

📈 Clinical Outcomes Studies and case series have shown:

Cyst volume reduction.

Stabilization of tumor growth.

Delay or avoidance of more aggressive treatments (surgery, radiotherapy).

✅ Advantages Minimally invasive.

Low systemic toxicity.

Well tolerated in repeated cycles.

Can be repeated without cumulative adverse effects.

⚠️ Limitations & Side Effects Local inflammation, fever, or transient symptoms after injection.

Not effective for solid tumor components.

Requires catheter placement and repeated procedures.

📚 Key Studies Cavalheiro et al. (2005): Long-term control in children with cystic craniopharyngiomas using intracystic IFN-alfa-2b.

Sainte-Rose et al. (2004): Intracystic interferon as an alternative to radiotherapy in children.

🔬 Mechanism of Action (Proposed) Induction of local immune response.

Anti-proliferative effect on epithelial lining of the cyst.

Reduction in cyst fluid production.