Treatment of Peyronie's disease with local interferon-alpha 2b.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the efficacy of subcutaneous interferon-alpha 2b in the treatment of Peyronie's disease.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Twenty-three men (mean age 53 years, range 27-69) received interferon-alpha 2b in an unrandomized prospective study. The drug was injected subcutaneously adjacent to the plaque three times a week for 3 weeks at a dose of 2 x 106 IU. The effect of interferon-alpha 2b on the extent of penile deviation, plaque size and erectile pain were investigated, and the drug's side-effects were documented. The mean (range) follow-up was 22 (4-48) months

RESULTS:

All patients had pain relief and 13 of 19 with pain before treatment became pain-free. The penile deviation was reduced in one patient; the deviation increased despite therapy in one patient and remained stable in the others. Plaque size remained unchanged in all patients. Impaired sexual function was improved in seven (30%) of the patients. Side-effects (myalgia, fever) occurred after only four of 207 injections (2%).

CONCLUSIONS:

Subcutaneous interferon-alpha 2b is safe, well tolerated and relieves pain. However, with no objective reduction in penile deviation and plaque size, the outcome of interferon-alpha 2b therapy is generally unconvincing and the drug cannot be recommended for the conservative treatment of Peyronie's disease.

• Authors: M Brake, H Loertzer, R Horsch, H Keller
• Journal: BJU international (BJU Int) Vol. 87 Issue 7 Pg. 654-7 (May 2001) ISSN: 1464-4096 [Print] England
• PMID: 11350406 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Interferon alpha-2
• Interferon-alpha
• Recombinant Proteins

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Humans
• Injections, Intradermal
• Interferon alpha-2
• Interferon-alpha (administration & dosage)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pain (prevention & control)
• Pain Measurement
• Patient Satisfaction
• Penile Induration (drug therapy)
• Prospective Studies
• Recombinant Proteins
• Treatment Outcome