Suppression of Recurrent Genital Herpes Simplex Virus Infection with Recombinant$α_2$Interferon

• Published in: The Journal of infectious diseases Vol. 154; no. 3; pp. 437 - 442
• Main Authors: Kuhls, Thomas L., Sacher, Jessica, Pineda, Evelyn, Santomauro, Donna, Wiesmeier, Edward, Growdon, William A., Bryson, Yvonne J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States University of Chicago Press 01.09.1986
• Subjects: Adult; Clinical Trials as Topic; Dosage; Double-Blind Method; Female; Genital herpes; Genitalia; Health care administration; Herpes Genitalis - drug therapy; Humans; Infections; Interferon Type I - therapeutic use; Interferons; Lesions; Leukocytes; Male; Original Articles; Placebos; Random Allocation; Recombinant Proteins - therapeutic use; Recurrence; Side effects
• ISSN: 0022-1899
• DOI: 10.1093/infdis/154.3.437

This double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the efficacy and safety of sc administered recombinant α₂ interferon (IFN-α₂) in the suppression of frequently recurrent genital herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. Seventy-six otherwise healthy subjects who had eight or more recurrences during the preceding year received 1 x$10^6$IU of IFN-α₂, 3 x$10^6$IU of IFN-α₂, or placebo three times per week for 12 weeks. Recipients of the higher dose of IFN-α₂, had fewer outbreaks during the study (2 vs. 3), a shorter period of viral shedding (2 vs. 4 days), less itching (1 vs. 3 days), and a faster healing time (6 vs. 8 days). The lower dose of IFN-α₂ was not effective. Significant side effects (fever, malaise, myalgia, fatigue, and arthralgia) occurred after the first injection of 3 x$10^6$IU of IFN-α₂ in 91% of the subjects, but subsequent injections produced only mild and intermittent side effects that were well tolerated. Mild leukopenia was noted in subjects treated with IFN-α₂. Treatment with IFN-α₂ resulted in moderate suppression and decreased duration of recurrent genital HSV infection in patients with frequent recurrences.