RESUMO
BACKGROUND/AIM: Plantar warts are cutaneous lesions on the plantar aspect of the foot caused by the infection of keratinocytes with the human papillomavirus (HPV). The severity and magnitude of warts can vary, but they cause pain and discomfort for all age groups. The treatment for plantar warts remains a continuing challenge. The purpose of this research was to compare the efficacy and safety of naturally derived Nowarta110 topical formula versus a matching placebo in treating plantar warts. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study is a randomized, double-blind, parallel assignment control interventional phase I/II clinical trial. This study included 54 patients with plantar warts. Patients were randomized to two groups: the placebo group, which included 26 patients treated with a matching placebo and the Nowarta110 group, which included 28 patients who received topical Nowarta110. The diagnosis of plantar warts was made by clinical examination. The treatment's efficacy and safety were assessed every week and after 6 weeks from the initiation of the intervention. RESULTS: In the Nowata110 group, 18 patients (64.3%) were completely cleared of their warts, and 10 patients (35.7%) partially responded to the therapy with a 20% to 80% decrease in warts dimensions. In the placebo group, only 2 patients (7.7%) were completely cleared of their warts, and 3 patients (11.5%) partially responded to the intervention with a 10% to 35% decrease in warts dimensions. The difference was highly significant between the two groups. There was 1 event with minor pain as a side effect in the Nowarta110 group and 9 events of non-serious local side effects in the placebo group, which included 2 patients who dropped out. CONCLUSION: Topical Nowarta110 is a safe, well-tolerated, and highly effective therapeutic modality in treating refractory and recurrent plantar warts. The breakthrough findings of the study encourage further extensive clinical trials to fully explore the prospect of Nowarta110 in managing all types of warts and HPV-related diseases.
