title: Comparative study of systemic interferon alfa-2a plus isotretinoin versus isotretinoin in the treatment of recurrent condyloma acuminatum in men.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of isotretinoin versus interferon alfa-2a plus isotretinoin in the treatment of recurrent condyloma acuminatum in 86 men.
  
  
  METHODS
  Men were randomly assigned to group A (n = 42) who received isotretinoin 1 mg/kg orally daily until remission was achieved, but not more than 3 months, or to group B (n = 44) who received interferon alfa-2a 3 x 10(5) IU subcutaneously three times weekly until remission was achieved, but not more than 8 weeks, plus isotretinoin in the same dosage as in group A.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The reduced duration of treatment to achieve remission was statistically significant in group B (2.18 versus 2.5 months; P < 0.01) and the recurrence rate was less in group B (4 of 44 versus 16 of 42; P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study are encouraging and demonstrated that the combination of isotretinoin plus interferon alfa-2a achieves higher remission rates and a shorter duration of treatment than isotretinoin alone.
authors.affiliation: E. Venizelou Maternity Hospital, Department of Pathology, Athens Naval Hospital, Greece.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cardamakis
authors.forename: I G
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Kotoulas
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Relakis
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Metalinos
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Michopoulos
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stathopoulos
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mantouvalos
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003218:Condylomata Acuminata / Q000628:therapy*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005832:Genital Diseases, Male / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015474:Isotretinoin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012008:Recurrence; D012074:Remission Induction; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D015474:Isotretinoin