Trial of treatment and follow-up of vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN)

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause cervical, vaginal and vulvar dysplasias (abnormal developments) which usually are diagnosed with a Pap smear. The majority of dysplasias caused by HPV will spontaneously regress, but a prolonged infection (continuing for years) can lead to cancer. Vaginal dysplasias (vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia, VAIN, grades 1-3) are usually treated with laser ablation or surgically with partial vaginal resection. The dysplasias are very commonly long-lasting and treatment often needs to be repeated several times every six months. The treatment can be very challenging due to commonly observed multifocal lesions. Mild dysplasias (VAIN 1) can be followed up to two years prior to treatment, because spontaneous regression commonly happens. It has also been proposed that taking punch biopsies promotes spontaneous regression, because it may stimulate immune response. Topical imiquimod is used for treatment of genital warts (condyloma). Genital warts are benign lesions caused by certain types of HPV. Imiquimod acts as an immunomodulator and it promotes the body’s immune response. Imiquimod has previously been studied in the treatment of other genital lesions caused by HPV such as vulvar, vaginal and cervical dysplasias and the results have been promising. Vaginally administered imiquimod has been found to be quite well tolerated. Possible side effects include a burning local sensation, lower abdominal pain or cold like symptoms and fever. We are conducting a study to compare different treatment options for VAIN.

Who can participate?
We are recruiting patients who are referred to or are already being treated at Helsinki University Central Hospital’s Women’s clinic for VAIN1 that has persisted over two years or recently diagnosed VAIN 2-3. Patients need to be over 18 years of age. We exclude patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding, premenopausal patients without reliable contraception, patients who are simultaneously in need for treatment for a cervical dysplasia, have a known allergy to imiquimod, have difficulty understanding Finnish or English, are HIV positive or have been diagnosed with vaginal carcinoma.

What does the study involve?
Patients referred to colposcopy (the procedure during which a cervix is examined using a colposcope) for VAIN will be enrolled in the study after informed consent. Patients will be randomly allocated to one ofthree groups: follow-up, laser treatment or treatment with topical imiquimod (self-administered 12.5 mg dose 1-2 times a week for 2 months). During colposcopy routine tests include a Pap smear and punch biopsies of detected lesions, additional testing will be done to test for high risk HPV types (hrHPV). Follow-up at the colposcopy clinic will happen 4, 8 and 16 weeks after the primary visit. If VAIN 2-3 persists, patients will be referred to other treatment options and have a control colposcopy at 24 weeks.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Benefits of participating include a more intensive follow-up scheme than usual and some additional testing. Patients may benefit from alternative treatment options than the current standard treatment. The results of additional testing are available to the patient upon request. Participating in the study is thought to have minimal risks for the patient. Patients in the imiquimod group might experience side effects from the medication, but the dosage can be halved if necessary. The study period is short (4 months) when taking into consideration the risk of the dysplasia progressing and thus participating in the study will not postpone significantly treatment if treatment method needs to be changed at the end of the study period.

Where is the study run from?
The study is run from and performed at the Women’s clinic of Helsinki University Central Hospital (HUCH), Finland.

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run?
December 2012 to May 2015.

Who is funding the study?
Helsinki University Central Hospital (Finland).

Who is the main contact?
Dr Annika Riska
annika.riska@hus.fi

Contact information

Study information

Eligibility

Locations

Countries of recruitment

• Finland

Study participating centre

Sponsor information

Helsinki University Central Hospital (Finland)
Hospital/treatment centre

c/o Dr. Annika Riska
Women's clinic
BO 610
HUS
Helsinki
00290
Finland

Email	annika.riska@hus.fi
Website	http://www.hus.fi/
"ROR"	https://ror.org/02e8hzf44

Funders

Funder type

Hospital/treatment centre

Results and Publications

Study outputs

Editorial Notes

11/09/2017: Publication reference added.
On 04/11/2015 the overall trial end date was changed from 31/12/2015 to 15/09/2015.