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Intralesional Gardasil-9 for the Treatment of Recalcitrant Warts

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Intralesional Gardasil-9 Vaccine for the Treatment of Recalcitrant Verrucae

Status
Active, not recruiting
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07806617
Enrollment
55
Registered
2026-09-08
Start date
2025-09-02
Completion date
2027-06-01
Last updated
2026-09-15

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Verruca Vulgaris, Verruca (Warts), Warts

Keywords

Recalcitrant Warts, Recalcitrant Verrucae, Verruca Vulgaris, Human Papillomavirus, Gardasil-9, Intralesional Immunotherapy, Intralesional HPV Vaccine, HPV

Brief summary

This study will evaluate whether Gardasil-9, a vaccine normally used to prevent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, may be effective for treating recurring warts that have not responded to standard treatments. In this study, Gardasil-9 will be injected directly into a wart rather than into a muscle, which is an investigational use of the vaccine. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive injections of either Gardasil-9 or sterile saline (placebo) directly into a wart. Neither the participant nor the clinician administering the injection will know which treatment is being given. The study will evaluate participants during treatment and follow-up visits to assess their warts and quality of life.

Detailed description

This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the use of intralesional Gardasil-9 for the treatment of recalcitrant verrucae. Gardasil-9 is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the prevention of disease caused by certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) and is typically administered by intramuscular injection. In this study, Gardasil-9 will be injected directly into warts as an investigational treatment for warts that have not responded to standard therapies. Eligible participants will be adults with at least one wart that has failed to resolve after two standard therapies. Examples of prior therapies may include cryotherapy, electrodesiccation, salicylic acid, or over-the-counter treatments. Participants must be healthy and not immunocompromised. Participants will be randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive either intralesional Gardasil-9 or sterile saline placebo. Two-thirds of participants will be assigned to Gardasil-9 and one-third will be assigned to placebo. The study coordinator will prepare the assigned treatment in a separate location so that both the participant and the clinician administering the injection remain blinded to treatment assignment. At the initial treatment visit, study investigators will confirm that the participant has at least one wart that has failed two or more previous treatments. Photographs will be taken to document the participant's warts before treatment. Participants will also complete the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) to assess the impact of their skin condition on their quality of life. The participant may select the wart or warts to be treated, and up to three warts may be injected during a treatment visit. The study clinician will inject the assigned study treatment, either Gardasil-9 or sterile saline, directly into the selected wart or warts. Participants may elect to receive lidocaine for local anesthesia prior to administration of the study treatment. Following treatment, a member of the study team will contact the participant within approximately one week to assess any reported changes to the treated wart or warts or any new reactions. Participants will return for an in-person follow-up visit approximately 4-6 weeks after treatment. At the follow-up visit, photographs will again be taken to document the warts. If the treated wart or warts have not resolved or have only partially resolved, additional treatment may be administered. Participants will return approximately 4-6 weeks later for further evaluation and may receive a third treatment if the wart or warts have not resolved. At the completion of the blinded treatment period, participants will complete the DLQI again and will be informed whether they received Gardasil-9 or sterile saline. After completion of the blinded portion of the study, participants who were assigned to sterile saline will have the opportunity to receive intralesional Gardasil-9 during an open-label extension. Participants initially assigned to Gardasil-9 whose warts have not completely cleared after the initial treatment period may also continue to receive additional Gardasil-9 injections during the open-label extension. Participants may receive up to six total treatments at approximately 4-6 week intervals as part of the study and open-label extension.

Interventions

BIOLOGICAL9-valent human papillomavirus vaccine

9-valent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine administered by intralesional injection directly into the selected wart or warts. Up to three warts may be treated during a treatment visit. Participants may receive additional treatments at approximately 4-6 week intervals if the treated wart or warts have not resolved. Participants may elect to receive lidocaine for local anesthesia prior to administration of the study intervention.

OTHERSterile Saline

Sterile saline administered by intralesional injection as the placebo comparator during the double-blind treatment period.

Sponsors

Rush University Medical Center
Lead SponsorOTHER
Rush University Department of Dermatology
CollaboratorUNKNOWN

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Caregiver)

Masking description

Participants and clinicians administering the study intervention are blinded to treatment assignment. Study treatments are prepared separately by the study coordinator so that the administering clinician does not know whether Gardasil-9 or sterile saline is being administered.

Intervention model description

Participants are randomized to receive intralesional Gardasil-9 or sterile saline during the double-blind, placebo-controlled treatment period. Following completion of the blinded treatment period and disclosure of treatment assignment, eligible participants may receive intralesional Gardasil-9 during an open-label extension.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Age 18 years or older. * Immunocompetent (no history of organ transplantation, active malignancy requiring immunosuppressive therapy, or HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) positive status) * At least one wart that has been refractory to treatment * At least two treatment modalities failed, including but not limited to: cryotherapy, electrodesiccation, keratolytic agents, bleomycin, salicylic acid, excision.

Exclusion criteria

* Unable to provide informed consent. * Younger than 18 years of age. * Pregnant. * Prisoner. * Vulnerable populations, including immunocompromised status (active cancer, active tuberculosis (TB) - latent or previous history of these would not exclude patients) * Previous severe reaction to HPV vaccination or known allergy to any vaccine component.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Clearance of the Target Wart After Intralesional Gardasil-9 TreatmentBaseline through 12-14 weeksClinical response of the target wart will be assessed using standardized photographs obtained before and after treatment. Short and long diameters of the wart will be measured from digital photographs, and changes in lesion area will be evaluated. Clinical response will also be assessed using the Physician Global Assessment (PGA) scale, ranging from 0 (complete response) to 4 (poor response), based on percentage improvement.
Incidence and Severity of Treatment-Related Adverse ReactionsFrom first treatment through 12-14 weeksSafety will be assessed by documenting adverse reactions following intralesional treatment. Adverse reactions will be classified as mild, moderate, or severe based on their impact on participants' daily functioning and the need for clinician intervention.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) ScoreBaseline through completion of treatmentChange in Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) score from baseline to completion of treatment. The DLQI is a 10-item questionnaire with a total score ranging from 0 to 30. Higher scores indicate greater impairment in dermatology-related quality of life, while lower scores indicate less impairment. The DLQI is administered before the first intralesional injection and again after completion of treatment to assess the impact of the participant's skin condition on quality of life.

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Sep 16, 2026