background
Optimal management of high-grade vulvar squamous intraepithelial lesions (vHSILs) is challenging. Surgery is the standard treatment, but recurrences are seen in half of patients. Drug treatment with imiquimod is an effective alternative, but the two modalities have not been compared in a randomized trial. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical efficacy, histological response, human papillomavirus (HPV) clearance, acceptability, and psychosexual morbidity of primary treatment with imiquimod versus surgical treatment in women with vHSIL.
methods
Results
110 patients with vHSIL (78% with unifocal vHSIL and 22% with multifocal vHSIL) were randomized between June 7, 2013 and January 8, 2020. Clinical response to treatment was maintained in 107 patients (54 in the imiquimod group and 53 in the surgical group) and 98 patients (46 in the imiquimod group and 52 in the surgical group) completed the study per protocol. Thirty-seven (80%) of 46 patients receiving imiquimod had CCR compared to 41 (79%) of 52 patients following surgery, demonstrating non-inferiority to the new treatment (difference of -0.016 ratio, 95% CI -0*15 to -0.18; p=0.0056). Invasive disease was identified in five patients at primary or secondary surgery but not in those on per-protocol imiquimod treatment. There was no significant difference in HPV clearance, adverse events, and treatment satisfaction between study groups.
interpretation
Imiquimod is a safe, effective, and well-accepted alternative to surgery for women with vHSIL and can be considered as a first-line therapy.
financing
FWF and Austrian Gynecological Oncology Group.
