Intralesional Interferon Alfa-2b Versus Cryotherapy for Common Warts on the Hands and Feet: A Randomized, Open-Label, Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of interferon injection therapy for common warts on the hands and feet and to analyze its associated adverse reactions.

METHODS

A total of 326 patients with common warts located on the hands and feet who were treated at our hospital between January 2024 and February 2025 were enrolled. Using a block randomization method, the patients were divided into a control group (n = 163, treated with cryotherapy) and an observation group (n = 163, treated with intralesional interferon alfa-2b injection). The two groups were compared in terms of clinical efficacy, number, thickness, and diameter of warts, immune function, quality of life, adverse reactions, and recurrence rates.

RESULTS

After treatment, the number, thickness, and diameter of warts decreased in both groups, with significantly greater reductions in the observation group. Post-treatment levels of cluster of differentiation 3 positive (CD3+), cluster of differentiation 4 positive (CD4+), the CD4+/CD8+ ratio, interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), immunoglobulin E (IgE), and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) increased, whereas cluster of differentiation 8 positive (CD8+) decreased in both groups. The observation group exhibited higher levels of CD3+, CD4+, CD4+/CD8+, IL-2, IL-6, IgE, and IFN-γ, and lower CD8+ levels compared with the control group. Scores for all dimensions and total scores of the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) decreased after treatment in both groups, with significantly lower scores in the observation group.

CONCLUSION

Interferon injection therapy demonstrates clinical efficacy in the treatment of common warts on the hands and feet.