hepatitis B virus vaccine

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine is being evaluated as an intralesional immunotherapy for the treatment of multiple cutaneous warts, a condition caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). In this context, the vaccine is repurposed from its standard use in preventing hepatitis B to act as a potent stimulator of the host's cell-mediated immunity. When injected directly into a wart, the vaccine triggers a Th1-skewed immune response characterized by the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). This systemic immune activation helps the host's immune system recognize and eliminate HPV-infected cells, often leading to the clearance of both the treated lesion and distant, non-injected warts. Clinical research conducted by Assiut University (NCT05902624) has assessed the efficacy and safety of this approach, both as a monotherapy and in combination with cryotherapy.

Other names

HBV vaccineHepatitis B vaccineintralesional hepatitis B virus vaccine