ULCERATED HEMANGIOMA SUCCESSFULLY TREATED WITH INTERFERON ALFA-2B AND TOPICAL GRANULOCYTE-MACROPHAGE COLONY-STIMULATING FACTOR

Objective: We tested whether healing and regression could be promoted by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interferon in a 6-month-old girl with an ulcerated haemangioma resistant to systemic steroid therapy. Methods: Interferon alfa-ab (Introna, Schering-Plough) was given subcutaneously once daily at a dose of 3 million units/m(2) for 5.5 months and rhGM-CSF (Molgramostim, Leucomax; Sandoz/Schering-Plough) 3.33 units was applied on the wound surfaces once and concomitantly with the initiation of interferon therapy. Results: rue ulcer healed completely within 1 month and the haemangioma almost totally regressed within 6 months. Conclusion: Local application of rhGM-CSF appears to be effective in promoting ulcer healing in an ulcerated haemangioma otherwise responding to interferon treatment.