Controlled localized heat therapy in cutaneous warts

Local hyperthermia induces apoptosis of keratinocytes in both normal skin and condyloma acuminata via different pathways

“…Hyperthermia with temperatures ranging from 39 to 45°C was demonstrated to be effective in treating some tumors and infectious diseases, including HPV infection [7][8][9]23]. Cells subjected to hyperthermia might undergo apoptosis or necrosis, in dependence on both temperature and time interval of the treatment (D = tR T-43 ).…”

“…In the treatment of malignancies, hyperthermia was shown to induce both necrosis and apoptosis in vitro in a temperature-dependent manner [5,6]. Local hyperthermia has been successfully implemented in the treatment of HPV-infected skin lesions, with satisfactory tolerability and negligible side-effects [7][8][9]. It has been postulated that local hyperthermia has direct antiviral effects, physically destructs the warty lesions, and promotes inflammatory responses necessary for eradication of the infected cells [7].…”

“…Local hyperthermia has been successfully implemented in the treatment of HPV-infected skin lesions, with satisfactory tolerability and negligible side-effects [7][8][9]. It has been postulated that local hyperthermia has direct antiviral effects, physically destructs the warty lesions, and promotes inflammatory responses necessary for eradication of the infected cells [7]. HPV infected skin (as well as other infected tissue) might be more prone to hyperthermia induced cell death than normal skin [8], while there have been no experimental evidences to prove this point.…”

Thermotherapy in dermatologic infections

“…156 Follow-up evaluation was not available past an average of 15.6 weeks, although no recurrences were noted. There are reports documenting the clearance of verrucae, including debilitating verrucae in a patient with HIV, with water baths at temperatures of 458C to 508C once to thrice weekly after 2 to 6 weeks.…”

“…It may be that heat causes nonspecific epidermal necrosis and the resultant removal of wart virus, similar to the way that other destructive treatments work. 156 However, heat may selectively target the virus itself or initiate an inflammatory response that eradicates the organism. Local hyperthermia at 428C and 458C was shown to promote the migration and maturation of Langerhans cells in normal human skin, and these effects were even more pronounced in condyloma acuminatumeinfected skin.…”