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Photothermal therapy enhanced the effectiveness of imiquimod against refractory cutaneous warts through boosting immune responses
Author(s) -
Shi Lei,
Luo Min,
Zhang Fuhe,
Zhang Linglin,
Wang Bo,
Liu Pei,
Zhang Yunfeng,
Zhang Haiyan,
Yang Degang,
Zhang Guolong,
Zhou Feifan,
Stepp Herbert,
Sroka Ronald,
Chen Wei R.,
Wang Xiuli
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of biophotonics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.877
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1864-0648
pISSN - 1864-063X
DOI - 10.1002/jbio.201800149
Subject(s) - imiquimod , medicine , refractory (planetary science) , dermatology , photothermal therapy , immunotherapy , dermis , clinical trial , adverse effect , immune system , pathology , immunology , materials science , composite material , nanotechnology
Refractory cutaneous warts are difficult to eliminate. In situ photo‐immunotherapy (ISPI) is an innovative treatment concept combining local photothermal therapy (PTT) and topical immunotherapy using imiquimod. To compare the efficacy of ISPI vs topical imiquimod alone, a prospective randomized controlled trial was performed with patients suffering from refractory cutaneous warts. In both groups, approximately 50% of the skin surface containing warts was treated for 6 weeks. On the basis of topical imiquimod, ISPI includes an additional 808 nm laser irradiation. Treatment response, temperatures during irradiation and histopathologic examination were evaluated. The complete response rate in the ISPI‐group (22/36, 61.1%) was significantly higher than in the imiquimod alone group (11/34, 32.4%). In the ISPI‐group, the mean maximum temperature was 44.5 ± 5.1°C, and obvious lymphocytic infiltration was found in the perivasculature of the dermis. There was no recurrence or worsening in both groups during the 12‐month follow‐up. No obvious adverse reaction was observed. This study demonstrates that ISPI can be used as an effective and safe treatment modality for refractory cutaneous warts.