The detection of TNF-α in the serum and pathological specimens of patients with recurrent condyloma acuminatum after treatment of CO_2 laser and 5% imiquimod cream

Objective To assess the cytokine levels of TNF-α in the serum and pathological specimens of patients with recurrent condyloma acuminatum after treatment of CO2 laser and 5% imiquimod cream,and investigate its role in the mechanism of recurrent condyloma acuminatum.Methods CO2 laser and 5% imiquimod cream were used in patients with condyloma acuminatum simultaneously.According to the curative effect,the patients were divided into two groups:efficacy group and recurrent group.Each group had 30 patients.The pathological specimens were obtained before therapy and were marked by TNF-α with immunohistochemistry.ELISA was used to the serum for the TNF-α level.Results The TNF-α expression in the recurrent group was weaker than that in the efficacy group,both in the pathological and serum specimens.Conclusions Low level of TNF-α may be an important cause of recurrent condyloma acuminatum after treatment of CO2 laser and 5% imiquimod cream.