Ingredient of human breast milk may be a new treatment for warts

Jun 24 2004

New Swedish research suggests that HAMLET or "Human-lactalbumin made lethal to tumor cells" an ingredient of human breast milk may be a new treatment for warts.

The research looked at the effect of HAMLET on skin papillomas and whether alpha lactalbumin–oleic acid a compound found in breast milk killed wart cells. The study has been published in this week's issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

A wart is a generally small, rough, cauliflower-like growth, typically on hands and feet. Warts are common and contagious, caused by a viral infection with one of the Papilloma virus strains. They typically disappear after a few months but, if untreated, can last for years and can recur. A few Papilloma viruses are known to cause cancer.

Current treatments for warts include:

• Freezing and surgically removing the infected spot
• Treatment with chemical compounds, usually salicylic acid
• Laser treatment

The study involved 40 patients with cutaneous papillomas that were resistant to conventional treatment. The results of the first phase showed that three weeks of treatment reduced the size of warts by at least 75% in all 20 volunteers.

83% of the 40 volunteers had no warts after 2 years.

The Lund University team concluded that treatment with topical alpha lactalbumin–oleic acid has a beneficial and lasting effect on skin papillomas. They also hope their research may lead to new treatments for common warts as well as cervical cancer and genital warts.