A Clinical Study of Intralesional Immunotherapy Using Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccine in Various Warts

Kim, Min Sung; Youn, Sang Ho; Na, Chan Ho; Shin, Bong Seok

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Although several methods have been attempted in the treatment of warts, the traditional destructive method may be painful or ineffective and induce disfiguring scars. Therefore, a more tolerable method with fewer drawbacks is needed.
OBJECTIVE
We studied the therapeutic effect of intralesional immunotherapy using the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine and factors affecting it in patients with warts.
METHODS
A retrospective study was performed in 207 patients with various types of warts, who did not meet the exclusion criteria for treatment and were followed-up from January 2011 to December 2013. Patients with warts were treated at 2-week intervals, and the therapeutic effect was evaluated 1 month after the final treatment.
RESULTS
Overall, 123 (59.5%) patients experienced a greater than half reduction in the size and number of warts. In addition, younger patients (under the age of 20) (p=0.008) and those with common warts (including periungual warts) (p=0.02) showed significantly higher treatment responses. All patients complained of transient mild pain during the intralesional injections, but other side effects were rarely observed. Only 3.2% of patients who experienced a complete response had a recurrence more than 6 months after the final treatment.
CONCLUSION
We suggest that intralesional immunotherapy with MMR vaccine can be considered as a primary remedy for patients who are sensitive to pain, especially children with multiple lesions, are concerned about serious side effects, or have common warts, and that treatment response will be improved by increasing the number of applications.