Effect of Adjuvant Imiquimod 5% Cream on SustainedClearance of Anogenital Warts Following Laser Treatment

[摘要] Objectives:Imiquimod is an immune response modifier that has demonstrated a good efficacy and relatively lowrecurrencerates in comparison to other genitalwart treatment modalities. The primary objective of this open-labelstudy was to evaluate the effect on sustained clearance of treated lesions and the safety of patient-applied topicalimiquimod after laser therapy of external anogenital warts.Methods:After laser treatment of visible external anogenital warts the ablated region(s) were treated withimiquimod 5% cream three times/week over 12 weeks beginningwhen the wound healing process was completed,followed by a six-month treatment-free observation period for the assessment of sustained clearance of treatedlesions.Results:A total of 211 male and female patients was enrolled in the study. After 12 weeks of treatment, 65.4% ofall patients showed sustained clearance. During the treatment period, 15 patients (7.1% of 211 patients) presentedwith recurrent warts in the treated areas, and 58 (27.5%) patients were excluded for other reasons. Duringthe six-month follow-up period, ten additional patients (7.3% of 138 patients) developed wart recurrences. Theapplication of imiquimod 5% cream was well tolerated. The number of patients with adverse events related tostudymedication declined fromthe first month of treatment until the end of the third month.Most frequently, mildto moderate itching, burning, pain and erythema were reported.Conclusions:After laser therapy and sufficient wound healing, administration of imiquimod 5% cream threetimes/week appears to be safe and to reduce the incidence of wart recurrences.

[学科分类] 妇产科学