Effect of topical interferon-beta on recurrence rates in genital herpes: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study.

The aim of this randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial was to evaluate the effect of IFN-beta cream applied at the time of recurrent eruptions of genital herpes during 6 months on the overall rate of recurrence. Therapy was initiated at the clinic for the first treated recurrence, and thereafter by the patient for early treatment of eventual subsequent eruptions. Each recurrence was ascertained at the clinic in all 35 evaluable patients. The mean recurrence rate was significantly lower in the group using IFN-beta cream than in the placebo group (p = 0.03). Complete responders without recurrence for the duration of the trial were 36.4% of all patients and 46% among women versus 15.4 and 16.6% in the placebo groups, respectively. A total of 77.3% of all patients were defined as complete or partial responders, their average recurrences/year decreasing from 11 to 2.2 (p < 0.0001). The topical episodic IFN-beta treatment was well tolerated by patients and without side effects. It is concluded that IFN-beta cream application reduces the overall rate of recurrence of genital herpes.