A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Systemically Administered Interferon-α, -β, or -γ in Combination with Cryotherapy for the Treatment of Condyloma Acuminatum

Abstract

One hundred fifty-two patients were enrolled in a study to evaluate 3 interferon (IFN) preparations used in combination with cryotherapy for treatment of anogenital warts. Subjects received subcutaneous injections (2 × 10⁶ units/m²) of IFN-αn1, -β, -γ or placebo 3 times a week for 6 weeks and cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen. Subjects were followed ⩽1 year. Among patients followed ⩾12 weeks, two-thirds had a complete response. No significant differences in rates of complete response (P = .37) or reappearance of a wart at the initial site (P = .20) were noted among the treatment groups. However, patients who received IFN-β or -γ developed new warts at a significantly lower frequency (P = .02). IFN administration was associated with side effects but was well tolerated. IFN-β was the least toxic of the 3 preparations and had the best therapeutic ratio.