Research
Microwave Therapy for Plantar Warts: A Chart Review
March 13, 2023
Research
Paediatric Cutaneous Warts and Verrucae: An Update
December 12, 2022
This paper aims to review recent evidence from published reviews and other research regarding cutaneous (non-genital) warts in children with a specific focus, where possible, on plantar lesions (verrucae).
Research
Potential Use of Microwave Technology in Dermatology
June 11, 2022
Microwaves are used in medicine for diagnostics, and treatment of cancer. Recently, novel microwave devices (Swift®, Emblation Ltd, UK and miraDry®, Miramar Labs Inc., CA) have been cleared by the FDA and Health Canada for various dermatological conditions.
Research
Applications of Microwave Energy in Medicine
March 10, 2022
This review summarizes the current knowledge surrounding the implementation of microwave technologies within the medical industry.
Research
Post-marketing surveillance for Microwave Treatment of Plantar and Common Warts in Adults
February 9, 2022
A total of 126 clinics responded (59.6%). 6998 adults (
A handheld microwave device (Swift®, Emblation Limited) has been licenced and available for clinical use since 2016 in the fields of podiatry and dermatology and has been extensively used in treating cutaneous warts. As part of post marketing surveillance by the manufacturer, an online 79-item survey was distributed to podiatry clinics in the United Kingdom with a Swift® device. A total of 126 clinics responded (59.6%). 6998 adults (<65 years) underwent wart treatment with microwave (81.9% plantar warts; 18.1% common, non-plantar warts). The median efficacy rate was reported as 79.2% (65.9 – 87.5%) and 82.3% (71.4 – 100%) respectively. In older adults (over 65 years) efficacy rates were similar for both sites: plantar (73.2%, 50-90%, n=1232) and non-plantar (80.0%, 42.1-100%, n=276). A median of three treatments was required to bring about resolution. Sub-group analysis of the data revealed good clearance rates in patients with diabetes (79.6%), but less in immunocompromised individuals (61.3%) and those with autoimmune disease (58.6%). Overall, mean user satisfaction was rated as “very satisfied” on a 10-point scale (n=93 practices). A small number of adverse events were reported including blistering, superficial ulceration and poor healing were reported (n=7). Despite the limitations of a post-marketing questionnaire survey, these data provide good evidence of the safety and efficacy for Swift® microwave treatment of cutaneous warts.
Research
Successful Treatment of Hard Corns in Two Patients Using Microwave Energy
November 8, 2020
The authors report 2 cases of patients with persistent and painful plantar corns who underwent microwave treatment of their plantar corns with a successful, lasting reduction in pain levels after the intervention.
Corns are a common foot problem accounting for nearly half of all problems seen within podiatry and chiropody clinics. Hard corns are concentrated areas of hyperkeratosis within the stratum corneum, typically found on the weight-bearing (plantar) surfaces of the feet. For many patients, they are a source of pain and have been shown to negatively affect a patient’s activity and quality of life. Most of the currently available treatments are short-lived in their effectiveness, with corns frequently being recurrent, requiring repeated visits to remove the painful lesions. The use of handheld microwave devices indicated for surface applications has demonstrated effectiveness in clearing recalcitrant plantar warts and significantly reducing the pain associated with them. The authors report 2 cases of patients with persistent and painful plantar corns who underwent microwave treatment of their plantar corns with a successful, lasting reduction in pain levels after the intervention.
Research
Positive keratinocytes in 3D cell culture models: a novel therapy for HPV-associated disease
July 10, 2020
Microwave treatment induces cell stress pathways and inhibits HPV oncoprotein expression that causes tumour progression. Induction of apoptosis and reduced cell proliferation suggest a reversal of the cervical tumour phenotype in the 3D tissues. Access Microbiology, Vol 2, Iss 7A
High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is the causative agent of benign, precancerous and cancerous lesions, in both anogenital and oropharyngeal sites. Increased expression of the viral oncoproteins E6 and E7 are responsible for tumour progression. The treatment of these precancerous and cancerous lesions is invasive, painful and with long-term side effects. Localised microwaves have been used successfully in the clinic for the treatment of verrucas, which are caused by low-risk HPV genotypes (>75% success rate versus >33% for cryotherapy). Moreover, local hyperthermia is known to have anti-tumour effects.
Ten-second microwave treatment of 3D in vitro-grown cervical tumour tissues (HPV16-positive SiHa cell) resulted in cell death in the treated zone while the tissue integrity was disrupted in the adjacent area. Microwaves induced apoptosis (induction of cleaved caspase 3) and autophagy (induction of LC3) and inhibited cell proliferation (loss of Ki67 and MCM2) in the entire tissue. Furthermore, HPV16 E6 and E7 expression was reduced in cells in the treated and transition zones, with subsequent induction of expression of the apoptosis-regulator, p53 over a 24 hour period following microwave treatment. Thermal stress, identified with the Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70) and translational stress identified by G3BP expression, was observed in the transition zone.
In conclusion, we demonstrate that the microwave treatment induces cell stress pathways and inhibits HPV oncoprotein expression that causes tumour progression. Induction of apoptosis and reduced cell proliferation suggest a reversal of the cervical tumour phenotype in the 3D tissues.
1. College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, Institute of Infection Immunity and Inflammation, Centre for Virus Research
2. Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge
Ilaria Epifano (1), Michaela J. Conley (1), Andrew Stevenson (1), John Doorbar (2), Sheila V. Graham (1)
Research
A feasibility study of microwave therapy for precancerous actinic keratosis
February 7, 2020
The results of this study conclude that a significantly higher proportion of treated AK areas responded than untreated (90% vs 15%; P < 0.001).
Thin AKs were more responsive than thick AKs. The site did not affect efficacy. Pain was severe, but brief (80% reported pain lasting ‘a few seconds only’). Adverse events were minimal. All participants who would choose microwave therapy over their current treatment cited the shorter discomfort period.
For full access to the published paper, visit Wiley Online.
Research
Microwaves: A Painless, Efficient New Treatment for Plantar Warts
February 6, 2020
This is independent paper describes the challenges patients face when seeking treatment for plantar warts and provides an overview of his experience with Swift microwave therapy, and what it can do for his patients.
Published by Podiatry Management in March 2020, this is independent paper was written by board certified foot surgeon Dr Alec Hochstein for the New Concepts and Studies February forum. Dr Hochstein describes the challenges patients face when seeking treatment for plantar warts and provides an overview of his experience with Swift microwave therapy, and what it can do for his patients.
"With today’s advances in biotechnology, it is time to move past the ‘armamentarium’ of partially-effective treatments for verrucae. A true solution to viral infection can arise only from engaging the body’s own immune response, and Swift offers the best tool to activate that engagement."
Research
Verrucae: An update and contemporary approaches to management
November 5, 2018
This article provides a clinical update on the subject treating plantar warts and verrucae using newer modalities which are increasingly being used in podiatry.
Plantar warts or verrucae continue to be a common reason for a visit to the podiatrist. Previous CPD articles published on this topic have focused on chemical management and cryosurgery. In the last decade we have seen new research publications and the introduction of novel techniques into mainstream podiatry such as needling and microwave treatment. This article serves to provide a clinical update on the subject whilst focusing on these newer modalities, which are increasingly being used in podiatry.