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Green tea and red wine for warts
Identifier
006959
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
Again I want you to ignore the fact that the Americans have produced a medicine based on food to cure warts. Back to basics says what is in the medicine and the research is very helpful.
"Sinecatechins trade names Veregen and Polyphenon E) is an ointment of catechins (55% epigallocatechin gallate extracted from green tea and other components. It was the first botanical prescription drug approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, in 2006.
In its use for treatment of genital warts caused by the Human Papilloma Virus, Sinecatechins appear to have higher clearance rates than podophyllotoxin or imiquimod and causes less local irritation. However, clearance of lesions takes longer than with imiquimod".
The catechins are abundant in teas derived from the tea plant Camellia sinensis, as well as in some cocoas and chocolates (made from the seeds of Theobroma cacao). Catechins are also present in the human diet in fruits, vegetables and wine, and are found in many other plant species, as well as cocoa.
A description of the experience
J Med Econ. 2010 Mar;13(1):1-7. doi: 10.3111/13696990903451461. A cost-effectiveness analysis of sinecatechins in the treatment of external genital warts. Langley PC. College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA. P8366@MSN.com
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness and treatment-cost impact of sinecatechins (Veregen) as first-line therapy against its principal comparator, imiquimod (Aldara), in the treatment of external genital warts (EGWs).
METHOD: A two-stage decision model is proposed to compare sinecatechins with its principal comparator, imiquimod, as a first-line topical therapy in the treatment of EGWs. The model utilizes estimates of sustained clearance from two pivotal sinecatechins trials and from a systematic literature review for imiquimod. Resource inputs are: (1) trial-based estimates of average drug utilization and (2) CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) codes describing anticipated office visits and utilization of second-line ablative procedures. The analysis considers: (1) comparative costs of achieving a successful outcome with sinecatechins versus imiquimod, and (2) comparative cost-consequences of sinecatechins versus imiquimod. As a modeled approach to evaluating comparative product effectiveness, the claims made reflect the structure of the model, which focuses on topical products as first-line therapy in EGW interventions and in its reliance on estimates of sustained clearance from pivotal randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Sustained clearance in this context being defined as the proportion of patients who report initial wart clearance over the RCT period corrected for subsequent recurrence.
RESULTS: As first-line therapy, sinecatechins dominates imiquimod as a lower cost treatment with a higher sustained clearance rate (51.9 vs. 40.6%). First-line average cost of treatment with sinecatechins is $774 compared to imiquimod at $930. Cost per successful outcome with sinecatechins is $1,492, which is lower than $2,289 for imiquimod. Taking account of patients failing first-line therapy moving to a second-line ablative therapy yields an average cost of treatment for patients initiated to sinecatechins of $943 and $1,138 for those initiated to imiquimod. A sensitivity assessment confirmed the position of sinecatechins within the decision-model framework.
CONCLUSION: Sinecatechins yields a lower cost of treatment compared to imiquimod in the treatment of EGW. It also offers cost savings to healthcare systems. This conclusion should be qualified by the limitations of the decision framework within which the assessment has been made. The model focuses on topical preparations as first-line therapies, with estimates of sustained clearance taken from pivotal RCTs. Treatment cost estimates are generated independently, but reflect current product and ancillary costs.
PMID: 19929627