Intralesional Recombinant Alpha-2a Interferon for the Treatment of Patients With Verruca

Ahn, Seung Won; Seo, Seong Joon; Hong, Chang Kwun

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Interferon alpha-2a has already been shown to be effective in clinical use of virus-originated diseases such as hairy cell leukemia, condyloma acuminatum, and AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma. The use of recombinant alpha-interferon may allow common warts to be treated relatively atraumatically and with less incidence of recurrence.
OBJECTIVE
We tried to determine the safety and effectiveness of intralesional injections of recombinant alpha-2a interferon in the treatment of patients with common warts.
METHODS
A single wart on each patient was weekly injected with 0.75 to 1.5Ã—10(5) IU/25mm2 of interferon for 8 weeks, and the response to treatment was followed up-to 6 months.
RESULTS
Clearing of the treated wart at the end of treatment occurred in 5(71%) out of 7 patients and the rest showed no improvement. With evaluation for relapses up-to 6 months after treatment, warts relapsed in 2(40%) out of 5 patients. Therefore, 3(43%) out of 7 patients were completely free of warts 6 months after treatment.
CONCLUSION
Intralesional recombinant interferon alpha-2a has a limited therapeutic effect, but may be considered as a therapeutic modality of recalcitrant verruca or when it can be anticipated that destructive techniques or blistering agents will not be tolerated.