Does involucrin have a Role in Verruca Vulgaris? A Clinical and Immunohistochemical Study

INTRODUCTION: Several modalities are used in the treatment of verrucae vulgaris; however, their side effects are common. Vitamin D3 has been recently used as a treatment in verruca vulgaris. AIM OF THE WORK: We aimed to assess the expression of involucrin in verrucae before and after intralesional injection of vitamin D3 and its correlation with clinical response. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study included 60 patients with verrucae vulgaris. These patients were subjected to intralesional injection of vitamin D3 at 3-week intervals for a maximum of five sessions. The pathological assessment was done by skin biopsies obtained from thirty patients before the first session and after the last session of injection and compared to skin biopsies from 30 healthy individuals. RESULTS: The injected verrucae showed complete response in 39 patients (65%), partial response in 15 patients (25%), and no response in 6 patients (10%). Nonsmoker patients had a better response than smokers. Vitamin D3 injections also resulted in increasing involucrin expression and changing its pattern of expression. CONCLUSIONS: Intralesional vitamin D3 is an effective treatment for verrucae vulgaris. Involucrin expression is modified in verrucae.