Immunotherapy of Cutaneous Warts: A Novel Comparative Study Between Intralesional Vitamin D3 and Normal Saline, Eastern India

Background: Warts are common benign skin lesions caused by human papillomavirus (HPV).Recalcitrant warts-those that are unresponsive to conventional therapy-pose a significant treatment challenge.Immunotherapy using intralesional agents, such as vitamin D3, has emerged as a promising alternative.The study aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of intralesional vitamin D versus normal saline in the treatment of cutaneous warts.Methods: This was a double-blinded randomized controlled trial (RCT) study that included 60 patients with recalcitrant warts, randomized into two groups: Group A received intralesional Vitamin D3 (600,000 IU/ml) and Group B received normal saline.Injections are administered every 4 weeks for a maximum of 4 sessions, followed by 3 months of follow-up.The total study duration was one year.Results: Group A showed significantly higher complete clearance rates (73.3%)compared to Group B (13.3%).The therapeutic response was evident in most cases after the second session.Adverse effects in the Vitamin D3 group were mild and self-limiting.Conclusion: Intralesional Vitamin D3 is a safe, effective, and well-tolerated treatment for recalcitrant warts, outperforming normal saline in both clearance rate and patient satisfaction.