title: Using imiquimod for genital warts in female patients.
abstract: Genital warts (GW) are the manifestation of infection with specific types of human papillomavirus (HPV), one of the most common sexually transmitted viral infections in the world. Genital warts can be either raised (exophytic) or flat. Exophytic genital warts are most commonly secondary to inoculation of the basal epithelium with nononcogenic HPV types 6 and 11, whereas flat warts are usually secondary to potentially oncogenic HPV types 16 and 31. Genital warts can occasionally cause irritation and discomfort, particularly during intercourse, although most cases are asymptomatic. It is the psychosocial effects of infection, such as a sense of shame, depression, and anxiety, that represent the more significant toll for most patients with GW. Current therapies for GW are mainly ablative and do not directly enhance the immune response to HPV. Therefore, recurrence is a problem for many patients. Imiquimod 5% cream is a patient-applied therapy that directly enhances the immune response to HPV and is safe and effective for the treatment of GW. A reduction in viral load is observed following treatment. Low recurrence rates compared to other treatment modalities may be due to the stimulation of the cell-mediated immune response by imiquimod.
authors.affiliation: Student Health Service, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA. cox-t@sa.ucsb.edu
authors.forename: J Thomas
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: Karl-Ulrich
authors.initials: KU
authors.lastname: Petry
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rylander
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roy
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003218:Condylomata Acuminata / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D000077271:Imiquimod; D007369:Interferon Inducers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D027383:Papillomaviridae; D011788:Quality of Life; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D019562:Viral Load; D014846:Vulvar Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D016387:Women's Health
chemical_list: D000634:Aminoquinolines; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007369:Interferon Inducers; D000077271:Imiquimod