Florida Urology Partners Discusses the Efficacy of HPV4 in the Treatment of Genital Warts

TAMPA, Fla. - Feb. 17, 2014 - PRLog -- Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases.  HPV types 6 and 11 cause an estimated 90% of external genital wart (EGW) cases.

Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent (Types 6, 11, 16, and 18) Vaccine, Recombinant (HPV4) is FDA approved for use in the prevention of certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV), specifically HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18 in boys and young men ages 9 to 26.  The vaccine HPV4 was offered as an off label alternative therapy to men with recurrent EGW who required multiple ablative treatment procedures.  The results of 12 men with recurrent EGW were retrospectively reviewed.  All men had at least two recurrences requiring treatment with ablation prior to inoculation.  Each man received the required three doses of the vaccine. The recurrence rates were then documented through routine follow-up.

The 12 men receiving the full vaccine were reviewed. Two were lost to follow-up. Of the 10 remaining men, 8 had no recurrences of EGW after completion of the vaccine with an average follow-up of 23 months. Two men had recurrence of EGW. One of these two men had only one recurrence in an almost 4 year period after inoculation. The other man had four outbreaks of EGW in one year prior to inoculation. He had two ablations within 5 months of his last dose of HPV4.  Since the last ablation he has been recurrence free for 12 months.

In conclusion, complete or partial remission of recurrent EGW was observed in this group of men after complete inoculation with HPV4.  There is need for a Men’s Health initiative regarding EGW education and HPV vaccination. The opportunity exists to significantly reduce the prevalence of EGW by preventing viral transmission, infection as well as potential treatments for EGW. Vaccinations need to become more widespread and possibly offered to men outside the recommend age guidelines.

Florida Urology Partners is the most comprehensive urology group in Florida, with 15 highly recognized physicians and more than 70 patient focused employees. Florida Urology Partners offer medicals and surgical care for the urethra, bladder, and kidneys.  They also specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of male sexual dysfunction, infertility, incontinence, prostate diseases and urinary tract conditions.