The present invention relates to the use of a nucleic acid molecule encoding at least one papillomavirus E2 polypeptide, or a vector, an infectious viral particle or a composition thereof for the preparation of a drug intended for treating a patient suffering from a persistent papillomavirus infection caused by at least one papillomavirus. The present invention also provides a vector comprising a nucleic acid molecule comprising a first nucleotide sequence encoding a papillomavirus E1 polypeptide and a second nucleotide sequence encoding a papillomavirus E2 polypeptide wherein the 3' portion of the first nucleotide which in the natural context is 100% identical to the 5' portion of the second nucleotide is modified so as to exhibit a percentage of identity between said portions of at most 75%.
