A randomized trial of combination therapy with intralesional interferon alpha 2b and podophyllin versus podophyllin alone for the therapy of anogenital warts

J Infect Dis. 1990 Jul;162(1):52-9. doi: 10.1093/infdis/162.1.52.

Abstract

To determine the value of combining interferon with standard local therapy in the treatment of human papillomavirus infection, 97 patients with anogenital warts were randomized to a short course of either interferon plus podophyllin or podophyllin alone. Interferon alpha 2b (1.5 x 10(6) IU) was injected intralesionally and podophyllin resin applied topically to each of three warts once weekly for 3 weeks. Maximal responses occurred within 2 weeks of therapy, and overall there was complete clearance of treated warts in 67% of interferon and podophyllin versus 42% of podophyllin recipients (P less than .05, chi 2). Clearance rates were greater in women, patients with warts of less than or equal to 12 months' duration, and HIV-seronegative patients. Of patients with complete clearance, 67% of interferon and podophyllin and 65% of podophyllin recipients experienced recurrences. Thus, in short treatment courses of anogenital warts, intralesional interferon enhanced the effect of topical podophyllin, and trials of combination therapy using more intensive or prolonged regimens of interferon are warranted.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Topical
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Condylomata Acuminata / complications
  • Condylomata Acuminata / drug therapy
  • Condylomata Acuminata / therapy*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • HIV Seropositivity / complications
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intralesional
  • Interferon Type I / therapeutic use*
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / administration & dosage
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Podophyllin / administration & dosage
  • Podophyllin / therapeutic use*
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Recurrence

Substances

  • Interferon Type I
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Podophyllin