Overview of HPV-related Dermatoses and Applications of Sinecatechins Ointment

Abstract

The incidence of Condyloma acuminata and other HPV-related dermatoses is increasing, with as many as one million new cases of infections diagnosed yearly. Therapeutic options that were once limited to in-office procedures or topical podophyllin toxins are now directed toward modifying the immune responses against the viral burden and minimizing recurrence potential. For years, compliance with follow-up and topical management has been limited due to issues with convenience, toxicities, and costs. There are now several pharmacological agents in the dermatology marketplace that can be incorporated into treatment regimens, either as monotherapy or in combination with in-office destruction modalities. One of the newer agents, Sinecatechins 15 % ointment (Veregen®), promotes localized antioxidative effects in conjunction with other proinflammatory actions. As the elucidations of the immune mechanisms that create viral diseases as well as other dermatoses continues to expand, so will the potential applications of this class of therapies. Several studies have supported its use in the treatment of external genital warts as well as other diseases. This article focuses on the pathogenesis and epidemiology of external genital warts and other manifestations of HPV, as well as on the history, mechanisms of action, and therapeutic applications of Sinecatechins 15 % ointment.