INTERFERON-ALPHA, INTERFERON-BETA AND INTERFERON-GAMMA THERAPY OF ANOGENITAL HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS INFECTIONS

Anogenital condyloma acuminatum (genital warts) is the most commonly d iagnosed sexually transmitted viral disease in the United States. At l east 14 of the more than 60 types of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are responsible for condyloma acuminatum. Anogenital condyloma acuminatum has a broad spectrum of manifestations in men and women, including su bclinical latent infection, clinically apparent warts, abnormal genita l cytology and squamous carcinoma. Traditional therapeutic modalities include cytolytic chemical agents and ablative techniques. These anti- wart methods are used in an attempt to eliminate clinically apparent d isease. However, they are associated with high rates of recurrence bec ause they do not eradicate the subclinical or latent reservoir of HPV remaining in adjacent epithelial cells and mucous membranes. Immunolog ic therapy with interferons (IFNs) represents a promising new antivira l modality that can be directed against all sites of infection, includ ing clinical, subclinical and latent disease. IFN-alpha, IFN-beta and IFN-gamma are the three major groups of IFNs. These three groups of IF Ns have been used successfully as monotherapy or in combination with t raditional modalities to treat anogenital condyloma acuminatum. This r eview focuses on IFN-alpha, IFN-beta and IFN-gamma therapy of anogenit al HPV infections.