Efficacy and Tolerability of Polyphenon E in “Difficult-to-Treat” Multiple Genital Warts in an HIV-Positive Male Subject

A 55-year-old man, nonsmoker, with a HIV-positive history came to our attention in February 2017. He was on treatment with Stribild(TM), 1 capsule daily (150 mg elvitegravir, 150 mg cobicistat, 200 mg emtricitabine, and 245 mg tenofovir disoproxil). The CD4+/CD8+ cellular count was 326/µL (normal values: 404–1,612); the CD3+/CD8+ cellular count was 819/µL (normal values: 220–1,219). The CD4/CD8 ratio was 0.40 (normal value: >1). Several typical genital wart lesions were present at the penis shaft and at the level of the neck and the corona of glans. These lesions were present for 2 years. Several cryotherapy sessions (a total of 10 procedures) had been performed with partial success. At the initial visit a total of 5 lesions were present. Treatment with topical Polyphenon E 10% 3 times a day was prescribed and started. After 1 month of treatment the lesions were reduced to 2. Treatment was very well tolerated. After 8 weeks of treatment no more lesions were observed and therefore a complete clearance was obtained. Local tolerability was evaluated to be very good by the patient.