Efficacy and safety of combined high-dose interferon and red light therapy for the treatment of human papillomavirus and associated vaginitis and cervicitis: A prospective and randomized clinical study

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of combined high-dose interferon (IFN) and red light therapy for the treatment of subclinical and latent human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. METHODS: Ninety women diagnosed with subclinical or latent HPV infection were randomized to receive topical application of low-dose recombinant IFNα-2b (1 million IU), high-dose IFNα-2b (9 million IU), or a combination of high-dose IFNα-2b and red light therapy on the cervix and vagina. All patients received treatment once daily for 4 weeks. HPV titer was measured immediately and 4, 8, and 12 weeks after treatment to determine the rates of viral clearance and infection cure. Treatment of HPV-associated vaginitis and cervicitis was also evaluated. RESULTS: Results showed that immediately and 4, 8, and 12 weeks after treatment, the HPV clearance rates and infection cure rates were higher in the high-dose IFN and combination groups compared to the low-dose IFN group. High-dose IFN and combination therapies were significantly effective against both low-risk and high-risk HPV infections. Although the cure rates for vaginitis and cervicitis were significantly higher in the high- compared to the low-dose IFN group, rates were even higher in the combination group compared to the high-dose IFN group. Mild adverse effects were reported by a very small subset of patients (3/30) in the combination group. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that combination of high-dose IFN and red light therapy is safe and effective against subclinical and latent HPV infections.