Flat and papillary condylomas: Differences in interferon activity

The difference between papillary and flat condylomas was examined with regard to their ability to induce the enzyme 2'-5' oligo A-synthetase, an interferon induced tissue product. The presence of this enzyme within tissues can be used as a marker of interferon activity. Among 28 young women participating in this study, 12 had overt papillary condylomas, while the other 16 had flat condylomas, as demomstrated by vulvoscopy, and confirmed by direct tissue biopsies. Fluorescent antibodies against the enzyme synthetase were used to detect the enzyme presence within the condylomatous tissues. A very prominent difference in enzyme activity between the two kinds of condylomas was demonstrated. The flat condylomas showed an enormous amount over its entire surface, including its deepest layer, while in the papillary condylomas, very few cells showed the specific activity of the enzyme, and in a very peculiar distribution, in the tips and periphery of the papillas only. A possible explanation of the difference in sizes of the two kinds of condylomas is suggested by these findings. The flat type, with prominent interferon activity, may be capable of maintaining very small size, while the papillary type, with much less anti-proliferative activity of interferon, may grow uninterrupted. A possible beneficial treatment suggested by these findings, may be raising the level of intralesional interferon.