Intralesional interferon

Abstract

We describe a double-blind placebo-controlled trial of human lymphoblas-toid interferon alpha, injected intrale-sionally into common palmar and plantar viral warts, resistant to conventional therapy. Warts had been present for at least 12 months. Subjects who were immunocompromised were excluded. Of 51 patients recruited, 42 completed the trial (19 women and 23 men). There was no significant difference between the responses in the two groups with total clearance of injected warts in 61% of the interferon-treated group and 63% of the placebo-treated group. The type and duration of the wart, and sex and age of the patient did not influence the response rate.

Key Words:

• Intralesional interferon
• Viral warts