Intralesional interferon alpha - 2b in genital warts : A preliminary study

Abstract

Currently available therapy for condyloma acuminata (genital warts) is not consistently effective. Interferon (IFN) has both antiproliferatve and antiviral properties and has been used to treat genital warts with varying degree of success. We conducted an open study on 6 male patients with genital warts. A single wart of comparable area from each patient was injected with 2 × 106 IU of IFN alpha-2b, 3 times weekly for 3 weeks. The response to treatment was assessed during the therapy and at 1, 5 and 9 weeks after the completion of treatment. Two of the injected lesions showed complete regression and in 2, there was a moderate reduction in size but not a complete regression. In 2 patients there was appearance of new lesions while still on therapy and only a slight reduction tn the size of injected lesions. All patients tolerated the therapy well and in none treatment had to be discontinued due to adverse reactions. The preliminary trial suggests that intralesional IFN is not a superior alternate to the currently available modalities of treatment in genital warts. High cost of the therapy is another limiting factor.