Human fibroblast interferon adjuvant to CO2 laser in the treatment of recurrent juvenile laryngeal papillomatosis: experience with 7 cases.

Preliminary results of adjuvant human fibroblasts interferon (IFN beta) given after CO2 laser excision in recurrent laryngeal papillomatosis in 7 adult patients are reported. Diagnostic procedure included histologic and immunohistochemical investigations to demonstrate the presence of viral cytopathic effect and for characterization of the virus. All patients underwent CO2 laser excision under general anesthesia followed by administration of IFN beta intramuscularly at the dose of 4 x 10(6) IU/day for 10 consecutive days. In the presence of complete remission, patients were followed without further therapy; in the presence of partial remission, a new combined treatment was established. All patients had a complete remission after combined treatment, but 4 subsequently developed recurrences. Treatments were always well tolerated; even cirrhotic patients showed no side effects.