The effect of vaginal administration of interferon on squamous intraepithelial cervical lesions

: Human papillomavirus vaginal and/or cervical infections were found in 1.98 percent of mostly younger female general populations and in 26.6 percent of cases with abnormal Pap smears. Antiviral treatment with human leukocyte interferon (HLI-alpha) vaginalettes was introduced at the beginning of 1987. In 30 cases a daily dose of 1 x 10(6) IU HLI during two 21-day menstrual cycles was applied. In 137 controls without therapy and the treated group a 12-month follow-up was performed. Every third month the regression, persistence or progression of the cervical squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) was determined by cytology and colposcopy. Most of the cases with progression were histologically confirmed. For ethical reasons the placebo treatment of the control group with an identical spectrum of disease was not feasible. Therefore, a secondary analysis and the 2 test were used. Up to now the results show a significant regression (21 out of 30, X2 = 4.51, P less than 0.05) in the treated group and progression (23 out of 137, X2 = 18.41, P less than 0.01) in controls. HLI vaginalettes are easily applicable, without any side-effects.