Could the HPV Vaccine Help Treat Recurrent Oral Warts?
Administration of the quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine may help in the treatment of recurrent cutaneous verruca vulgaris lesions (warts) and oral squamous cell papillomas (the lesions commonly associated with HPV infection) according to a recent case study.
The authors described the case of an immunocompetent man in his 60s who presented with chronic verrucous papules on his tongue, lips, and buccal mucosa. The lesions, identified by biopsy as squamous cell papillomas, had recurred after several surgical excisions. DNA sequencing revealed that the man had HPV-32.
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The patient was given the quadrivalent HPV vaccine, and, after 4 weeks, saw significant clinical improvement. Complete resolution was achieved after 3 months.
In response to these results, researchers conducted a search for similar case reports, discovering 8 cases reporting the resolution of recurrent warts within 3 to 8 months of administration of the quadrivalent HPV vaccination.
“Production of cross-protective immunoglobulins and cytotoxic T cells is a possible mechanism,” the authors explained.
“There remains a critical need for randomized clinical trials to assess efficacy of quadrivalent HPV vaccination for treatment of oral squamous papillomas and cutaneous verruca vulgaris.”
—Michael Potts
Reference:
Cyrus N, Blechman AB, Leboeuf M, et al. Effect of quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccination on oral squamous cell papillomas. JAMA Dermatol. 2015 [epub ahead of print]. http://archderm.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=2431077.