Systemic interferon treatment of recurring condylomata acuminata [Trattamento della condilomatosi recidivante con interferoni]

Background. Systemic interferon therapy in a group of patients with recurrent anogenital warts after the failure of current topical therapy (cryotherapy, trichloroacetic acid, electrodessication) is studied. Methods. From 1991 to 1995, 53 patients (26 males and 27 females) with recurrent anogenital warts underwent systemic therapy with natural and recombinant alpha interferon and beta interferon. Results. The lesions cleared completely in 28 patients and partially in 20. Two patients didn't respond to therapy and three dropped out. Side-effects were mild and well-tolerated. Patients still having genital warts were treated with trichloroacetic acid, cryotherapy, electrodessication or podophylox (once daily for 5 days). At the end of topical therapy all but three patients had cleared up. Conclusions. Systemic interferon therapy may be useful for recurrent genital warts if topical treatments are uneffective.