Quadrivalent human papilloma virus vaccine for the treatment of multiple warts: a retrospective analysis of 30 patients

Background: Various therapeutic modalities have been implemented for wart treatment. Recently, resistant warts treated using quadrivalent human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine have been reported, although original articles on the efficacy of quadrivalent HPV vaccine on viral warts are rare. Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of quadrivalent HPV vaccine in the treatment of multiple warts Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 30 patients with multiple warts who had been treated with quadrivalent HPV vaccine in Pusan National University Hospital from January 2014 to November 2016. All patients received 3 doses of quadrivalent HPV vaccine at baseline, 2 and 6 months. Patient demographics and clinical features were reviewed. Therapeutic response and adverse reactions following vaccination were assessed. Results: Regarding therapeutic response, 14 patients (46.67%) showed “Complete response”, 5 (16.67%) showed “Partial response”, and 11 (36.67%) showed “No response”. There were no statistically significant differences in sex, age, disease duration, and lesion number and location between the three groups divided by treatment response. No severe adverse events were noted. Conclusion: The advantage of quadrivalent HPV vaccine in the treatment of multiple warts is that it is more convenient and less painful. HPV vaccine might be a good alternative to conventional destructive methods for certain cases such as those including multiple warts, dangerous lesion locations, and uncooperative patients.