Successful treatment of resistant condylomas with nitrizinc complex solution: a retrospective study in 11 patients

A Multicentre, Randomised Clinical Trial to Compare a Topical Nitrizinc® Complex Solution Versus Cryotherapy for the Treatment of Anogenital Warts

INTRODUCTION

Anogenital warts (AGW) are a relevant clinical issue in the field of sexually transmitted disease, and to date no treatment provides a satisfactory clearance rate. Treatment can be both medical and surgical, and be provided by a healthcare provider or by the patient. Cryotherapy (CRYO) is among the most common treatments for AGW. Nitrizinc® Complex solution (NZCS) is a solution containing organic acids, nitric acid and zinc and copper salts that is applied topically to warts, producing mummification of the damaged tissue. It is considered to be an effective and well-tolerated treatment for genital and common warts. The aim of our study was to compare NZCS to CRYO in the treatment of AGW.

METHODS

We performed a prospective, multicentre, single-blind, randomised, superiority clinical study involving 120 patients, aged 18-55 years, diagnosed with a first episode of AGW, with each patient having from three to ten AGW. The patients were treated either with NZCS or CRYO for a maximum of four treatments. Primary endpoints were: (1) comparison of the clinical efficacy of CRYO and NZCS, based on response to treatment (clearance of AGW) within four treatment sessions; and (2) tolerability, assessed via a short questionnaire at the end of each treatment session. Secondary endpoints were: (1) number of treatments needed for clearance; and (2) recurrence at 1 and 3e months after confirmed clearance. The results were analysed on an intention-to-treat basis.

RESULTS

A complete response was achieved in 89.7% of the NZCS group and in 75.4% of the CRYO group (p = 0.0443). NZCS was found to be better tolerated. There was no difference between the NZCS and CRYO treatment arms in the number of sessions needed to clear the lesions. Recurrence occurred after 1 month in 18.4% of the NZCS group and 38.1% of the CRYO group (p = 0.0356), and after 3 months in 25 and 40.6% of these groups, respectively (p = 0.1479).

CONCLUSIONS

Nitrizinc® Complex solution can be considered to be as effective as CRYO for the treatment of small (< 5 mm) external AGW, with a better tolerability profile and lower rate of recurrence.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN identifier, ISRCTN36102369.

Efficacy Assessment of a Topically Applied Nitric-Zinc Complex Solution for the Treatment of External Ano-genital Warts in 100 Patients

INTRODUCTION

External ano-genital warts (AGWs) due to human papilloma virus infection are the most common sexually transmitted ano-genital lesions of viral origin worldwide. Treatments include topical chemicals/drugs, excisional surgery, cryosurgery, electrosurgery and laser surgery. Nitric-zinc complex (NZC) is a new topically applied solution containing nitric acid, zinc, copper and organic acids that induces a caustic effect on condyloma. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of NZC in the treatment of AGWs.

METHODS

Patients attending for AGWs between September 2016 and February 2018 were retrospectively studied. They received at least one NZC application for a maximum of four treatments (V0, V1, V2, V3) with average intervals of 25 days between sessions. Recurrences were evaluated at 3 and 6 months after clearance.

RESULTS

One hundred patients (70 males, 30 females) with a mean age of 36.39 years were studied. The total number of AGWs diagnosed at the baseline visit (V0) in all patients was 418 with a mean of 4.18 AGWs per patient. A wart cure rate of 92% was observed in ≤ 4 treatment sessions (383 lesions cured at visit 4, V4, out of 418 lesions at baseline), with a cure rate of 49% with only one NZC application. Complete clearance was observed in 25, 52, 72 and 84% of patients at V1, V2, V3 and V4, respectively. Relapses were observed in 29% of patients at 3 months and in 5% at 6 months. Of note, patients with ≤ 5 AGWs at V0 showed better clearance results than patients with > 5 lesions (p < 0.05). The treatment was well tolerated by most patients.

CONCLUSION

NZC has been demonstrated to be effective for AGWs after 1-4 treatment sessions, obtaining a good response from the first application. The better response in patients with fewer warts suggests that the earlier diagnosis is made and treatment started, the better the expected results.

FUNDING

ISDIN.

The SILVER study. Efficacy of topical nitric-zinc complex solution in the treatment of resistant warts: A postmarketing evaluation

The treatment of cutaneous viral warts caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is often subject to local recurrence and a long clinical and treatment course. Our aim was to analyze real-life data on the treatment of difficult-to-treat warts from a multicenter postmarketing surveillance assessment on the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of a commercially available nitric-zinc complex solution (NZCS). Dermatologists from 14 Italian centers completed a questionnaire about their clinical experience on treatment of "difficult-to-treat" warts, which included warts in the plantar, periungual, anogenital and aesthetically sensitive areas. The questionnaire was designed to obtain detailed information on wart treatment and compare NZCS efficacy with previous treatments. Of 106 questionnaires returned, 83 reported NZCS use; 67 had previous treatments (23 cryotherapy, 2 electrocoagulation, 12 other topical application, and 30 combined treatment, such as laser, cryotherapy, and/or electrocoagulation). NZCS had superior efficacy to that of previous treatments (p < .0001), resulting in 84.1% with a full or partial clearance (vs. 44.8% for previous treatments), and had better local tolerability (p < .0001). NZCS showed better efficacy and tolerability than other previous wart treatments.