Treatment of anogenital warts with imiquimod 5% cream followed by surgical excision of residual lesions

Cytodestructive or surgical therapy for patients with anogenital warts is frequently associated with recurrence. In February 1997, the US Food and Drug Administration approved imiquimod as a 5% cream for the treatment of anogenital warts. Activity of the drug results primarily from interferon alfa and other cytokine induction in the skin. These cytokines stimulate several other aspects of the innate immune response. In addition, imiquimod stimulates acquired immunity, in particular the cellular arm that is important for control of viral infections and tumors. Published studies indicate that imiquimod results in complete clearance of warts in more than 50% of patients. Residual warts can be surgically excised. Our long-term follow-up (ie, 2 to 7 years) of patients who had a 16-week course of imiquimod cream with subsequent removal of remaining warts showed a much lower rate of recurrence in comparison with those patients who were treated with surgery alone. Therefore, treatment with imiquimod followed by excision of residual lesions may provide long-term clearance of anogenital warts in those patients in whom imiquimod monotherapy is insufficient. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2002;47:S212-6.)