title: Anecdotal reports of 3 cases illustrating a spectrum of resistant common warts treated with cryotherapy followed by topical imiquimod and salicylic acid.
abstract: Imiquimod is an immunomodulator with indirect antiproliferative and antiviral properties known to be effective against anogenital warts. However, its use for common warts has not been validated in prospective, controlled trials. We present 3 anecdotal case reports illustrating one treatment approach for a spectrum of resistant, common warts with combination therapy consisting of cryosurgery followed by administration of imiquimod and salicylic acid. The efficacy of this combined destructive and immunomodulatory therapy proved to be 50% to 100% effective after 6 to 9 weeks.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157-1071, USA.
authors.forename: Tamara S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Housman
authors.forename: Joseph L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Jorizzo
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D017679:Cryotherapy; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand; D006365:Heel; D006801:Humans; D000077271:Imiquimod; D007369:Interferon Inducers / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D020156:Salicylic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014034:Toes; D014860:Warts / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000634:Aminoquinolines; D007369:Interferon Inducers; D020156:Salicylic Acid; D000077271:Imiquimod