Imiquimod leads to a decrease of human papillomavirus DNA and to a sustained clearance of anal intraepithelial neoplasia in HIV-infected men

J Invest Dermatol. 2008 Aug;128(8):2078-83. doi: 10.1038/jid.2008.24. Epub 2008 Feb 14.

Abstract

Anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN), a human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated precursor lesion of anal carcinoma, is highly prevalent in HIV-infected men having sex with men (MSM). This prospective follow-up study evaluated the long-term results of imiquimod treatment of AIN in 19 HIV-infected MSM. Standardized follow-up examinations included high-resolution anoscopy, anal cytology/histology, HPV typing, and DNA load determination for HPV types 16, 18, 31, and 33. Mean follow-up time was 30.3 months. A total of 74% (14/19) of the patients remained free of AIN at the previously treated site. Five patients (26%) had recurrent high-grade AIN after a mean time of 24.6 months. At the end of follow-up, the numbers of HPV types as well as high-risk HPV-DNA loads were significantly lower than before therapy. During follow-up, 58% of all patients (11/19) developed new anal cytological abnormalities in previously normal, untreated anal regions. 55% of these new AIN lesions were high-grade lesions and most of them were located intra-anally and associated with high-risk HPV types not detectable before therapy. These results demonstrate that imiquimod leads to a high rate of long-term clearance of AIN in HIV-positive men together with a prolonged decrease of high-risk HPV-DNA load. However, new AIN lesions associated with previously undetected HPV types frequently occur in untreated areas.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aminoquinolines / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Anus Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Anus Neoplasms / pathology
  • Anus Neoplasms / virology
  • Carcinoma in Situ / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma in Situ / pathology
  • Carcinoma in Situ / virology
  • DNA, Viral / drug effects*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • Human papillomavirus 16 / genetics
  • Human papillomavirus 18 / genetics
  • Humans
  • Imiquimod
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Papillomaviridae / genetics*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Aminoquinolines
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • DNA, Viral
  • Imiquimod