A randomized trial of efficacy of beta-sitosterol and its glucoside as adjuvant to cryotherapy in the treatment of anogenital warts. (April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stefanaki, Christina; Fasoulaki, Xara; Kouris, Anargyros; Caroni, Chrysseis; Papagianaki, Konstantina; Mavrogianni, Panagiota; Nicolaidou, Electra; Gregoriou, Stamatis; Antoniou, Christina
• Is Part Of: Journal of dermatological treatment. Volume 26:Number 2(2015:Apr.)
• Page Start: 139
• Page End: 142
• Publication Date: 2015-04
• Subjects: Skin -- Diseases -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Skin Diseases -- drug therapy -- Periodicals; Skin Diseases -- therapy -- Periodicals; 616.5
• DOI: 10.3109/09546634.2014.925535
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0954-6634

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Introduction</italic>: All available treatments for anogenital warts have substantial failure rates. An immunomodulating treatment that enhances the patient's own immunity could be valuable as an adjuvant to conventional methods.</p> <p> <italic>Methods</italic>: About 123 patients were enrolled in this study and were randomized either to undergo only cryotherapy every 3 weeks (<italic>n</italic> = 60 patients) or to undergo cryotherapy and to receive a mixture containing 20 mg sterol and 0.2 mg sterolin (BSS–BSSG mixture), known for its immunomodulating properties (<italic>n</italic> = 63).</p> <p> <italic>Results</italic>: A complete response after 3 months was demonstrated by 18.3% of the patients in the first group and 30.2% of the second group, while 61.7% of the first group and 79.4% of the second group were lesion free at the end of the 6-month follow-up period. Cox regression analysis of the time until response showed a significant advantage to the mixture treatment group (hazard ratio 2.76, 95% confidence interval 1.61–5.67).</p> <p> <italic>Limitations</italic>: The study was not placebo controlled.</p> <p> <italic>Conclusion</italic>: The BSS–BSSG mixture gave promising results as an adjuvant to cryotherapy and may be used in patients with refractory warts.</p> </abstract>