Local interferon-alpha2b is not an effective treatment in early-stage Peyronie's disease

Objective: Peyronie's disease is characterized by an acquired penile deviation that may lead to severe penile deformity. It is refractory to most conservative therapy, and surgical correction is therefore the treatment of choice once the disease process has come to a halt. Basic science, as well as our first clinical results on the use of interferons (IFNs), have been promising, suggesting a beneficial effect in the early noncalcified disease stage. Material and Methods: From July 1994 to October 1995, 30 patients suffering from early Peyronie's disease were treated with three local injections of 3 million units of IFN-a2b each into the plaque(s). The interval between the injections was 1 week. Patients were assessed clinically and ultrasonographically 6 months after the last injection. Results: Peyronie's disease clinically improved in only 1 case, remained stable in 26 patients and worsened in 3. In 7 patients, a total of 10 plaques at different sites were detected. By ultrasonography the treated plaques now showed calcifications in 3 cases, remained unchanged in 26 and could not be detected in 1 case. Of the 10 new plaques, 2 showed calcifications. Side effects (myalgia, fever) were considerable; in 74 of 90 injections, fever >38 degrees C occurred, and a total of 8 working days were lost. Conclusion: IFN-alpha 2b, given according to our regimen, is not useful for the treatment of Peyronie's disease in the early stage since the disease progress continues at different sites in about 25% of the patients, and the side effects are untolerable. Our results also demonstrate that local therapy is not indicated in Peyronie's disease.