Isotretinoin therapy for recurrent respiratory papillomatosis

An updated review of the epidemiological factors associated with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis

OBJECTIVES

To identify studies evaluating the epidemiology of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP), including patient demographics, human papillomavirus (HPV) immunology, clinical course, surgical and medical treatments, and psychosocial factors.

METHODS

A systematic literature search through PubMed was performed to identify studies evaluating the epidemiological factors associated with RRP. All studies were screened through a priori selection criteria using the titles and abstracts.

RESULTS

A total of 208 studies were identified, of which 54 met eligibility criteria and were included in the review.

CONCLUSIONS

RRP is a rare disease most commonly caused by HPV 6 and 11. It is characterized by recurring benign papillomatous lesions in the respiratory tract, particularly the larynx. Existing evidence about disease risk factors is limited but includes both maternal HPV infection and patient smoking and sexual behaviors. Disease management involves a combination of routine surgical and medical treatment. Surgical techniques include CO2-laser, sharp dissection, coblation, microdebridement, and photoangiolytic laser. Medical treatments which have been found to facilitate disease control off-label include interferon-alpha (IFN-α), indole-3-carbinol, acyclovir, bevacizumab, retinoids, and the Gardasil and mumps vaccines. Many patients suffer from additional psychosocial challenges related to their diagnosis. Current disease knowledge remains limited, and more robust controlled trials about risk factors, medical therapies, and surgical options are needed.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

5.

Comparison of cidofovir and the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine in the treatment of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis

We conducted a retrospective study of the use of cidofovir and the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccineas adjunctive treatments to lesion debridement in patients with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP). Our study population was made up of 15 children-7 boys and 8 girls, aged 1 to 16 years at diagnosis (mean: 6.2)-with pathologically confirmed RRP who had been followed for at least 1 year. In addition to demographic data, we compiled information on disease severity, the type of adjunctive treatment administered to each patient, the frequency of debridements, the length of observation, and remission rates. Of the 15 patients, 5 had been treated with cidofovirafter debridement (cidofovir-only group), 6 were treated with MMR vaccine after debridement (MMR-only group), 3 were treated with one and later switched to the other based on parental preference, and 1 received neither treatment, only debridement. The initial mean Derkay disease severity scores were 12.6 for the cidofovir-only group and 11.0 for the MMR-only group (p = 0.61). The cidofovir-only patients underwent an average of 11.8 adjunctive treatments and the MMR-only patients an average of 17.7 (p = 0.33). The average duration of observation was 44.0 months in the cidofovir-only group and 64.7 months in the MMR-only group (p = 0.29). Remission rates were 20% in the cidofovir-only group and 50% in the MMR-only group (p = 0.54). Our study found insufficient evidence of any significant differences between cidofovir and the MMR vaccinein terms of the number and frequency of adjunctive treatments and the rates of remission.

Pharmacotherapy of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis: an expert opinion

BACKGROUND

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis is caused by the human papillomavirus types (HPV) 6 and 11. It affects both children and adults. In a small number of cases, the disease can be very aggressive causing significant morbidity and possibly death. Surgical therapy is the primary treatment but in patients with aggressive disease, adjunctive therapy is initiated. The majority of these adjuncts center on immunomodulation, disruption of molecular signaling cascades or interruption of viral replication to help decrease the severity of the disease. Recently, a preventative vaccine has become available but data on its effectiveness will be at least a decade away. In the mean time, researchers are examining other vaccination strategies in the fight against HPV disease.

OBJECTIVE

We will review the following pharmacotherapies used in the adjunct treatment of RRP: interferon, acyclovir, ribivirin, cidofovir, COX-2 inhibitors, retinoids, anti-reflux medications, zinc, indole-3-carbinol, therapeutic/preventative vaccines.

METHODS

This is a review paper. Utilizing Medline and Pubmed from 1966 to present, the key words as well as the above listed adjunct treatments were searched for relevant papers.

CONCLUSION

The evidence supporting each of these adjuncts varies with a majority having only case reports or cases-series to support their use. However, there is hope on the horizon with regard to the HPV vaccine and its potential to prevent future transmission of this disease.

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis in children: masquerader of common respiratory diseases

BACKGROUND

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis in children is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening benign tumor of the respiratory tract with laryngeal predilection. The diagnosis of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis may be challenging unless there is a high index of suspicion and awareness of the variable presentations.

METHODS

We reviewed the medical charts of children with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis treated at a tertiary children's hospital. The presentation of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis is illustrated by a series of case reports. We provide a paradigm to assist in the early diagnosis of children with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.

RESULTS

Five patients, aged 2 to 6 years, were erroneously diagnosed with recurrent croup, asthma, laryngeal hemangioma, and tracheomalacia after presenting with variable degrees of chronic dyspnea, cough, stridor, dysphonia, weak cry, and syncope. Once the diagnosis of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis was made, recurring surgical ablation of papillomata was initiated.

CONCLUSIONS

Any child presenting with a voice disturbance with or without stridor is recommended to have diagnostic flexible fiber-optic laryngoscopy. Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis should be considered in children when other common pediatric airway diseases either do not follow the natural history or do not respond to treatment of the common disorder.

Cidofovir for the Treatment of Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis: A Review of the Literature

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is a rare but potentially severe disease caused by papillomavirus, most often types 6 and 11. The disease, which occurs in both juvenile and adult forms, is characterized by benign epithelial tumors of the airway that most frequently affect the larynx but can also spread along the entire aerodigestive tract. Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis is the most common benign neoplasm of the larynx in children and the second most frequent cause of childhood hoarseness. Standard treatment, which is palliative only, consists of surgical excision of papillomata to maintain airway patency and improve voice quality. Recurrence despite repeated surgical procedures is the rule. To date, incorporation of adjuvant treatments has not been reliably beneficial in altering the disease course. Several case series have described promising results with cidofovir, a cytosine nucleoside analog with antiviral activity. To evaluate the data available on the safety and efficacy of cidofovir for the treatment of RRP, we conducted a MEDLINE search for all case reports or series from January 1966-August 2004 describing cidofovir therapy in either adults or children with RRP. The bibliographies of qualifying articles were also searched for relevant references. In both adults and children with mild-to-severe RRP, intralesional administration of cidofovir directly into the site of papillomata was associated with partial-to-complete regression of papillomata, improvement in voice quality and airway status, and decreased need for surgery. Wide variation in intralesional cidofovir dose (2-57 mg), frequency (every 2-8 wks), and duration (4 mo-4 yrs) was found. Successful outcomes have also been reported with intravenous cidofovir, but data are limited to three case reports. Rash, headache, and precordialgia were the only adverse effects reported with intralesional cidofovir. Nephrotoxicity and neutropenia secondary to either intralesional or intravenous cidofovir were not observed. Long-term risks associated with intralesional administration remain to be seen. Further studies are necessary to determine the most appropriate dose, frequency, and duration of therapy, and to fully characterize the safety profile profile of cidofovir when given intralesionally.

Microdebrider versus CO2 laser removal of recurrent respiratory papillomas: a prospective analysis

OBJECTIVE

To compare postoperative patient discomfort, voice quality, and procedure time and cost for removal of recurrent respiratory papillomas using the microdebrider versus the CO2 laser.

STUDY DESIGN

A randomized prospective study comparing children undergoing excision of recurrent respiratory papillomas by CO2 laser versus excision by microdebrider.

METHODS

For the 6-month study, patients for whom removal of recurrent respiratory papillomas was indicated were randomly assigned by birth year to microdebrider or CO2 laser therapy. Disease severity was scored as the sum of ratings of 1+ (minimal), 2+ (moderate), or 3+ (severe) for involvement of 27 areas of the aerodigestive tract by direct microlaryngoscopy immediately before treatment. Parents scored patient discomfort and improvement in voice quality 24 hours after surgery, using a 5-point (0 = no pain; 4 = worst pain) and a 10-point (1 = minimal change; 10 = significant improvement) scale, respectively.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients ranging in age from 2.5 to 20 years underwent 32 procedures in all. Groups did not differ significantly in age, sex, or severity of disease. For disease of equivalent severity, microdebrider treatment was associated with equivalent 24-hour-postoperative pain scores, greater improvement in voice quality, shorter procedure times, and lower overall procedure cost.

CONCLUSIONS

Immediate postoperative results indicate that the microdebrider may be as safe as and, at some institutions, might be more cost-effective than the CO2 laser for removal of recurrent respiratory papillomas.

Pharmacotherapy of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is a disease which affects both children (juvenile-onset RRP) and adults (adult-onset RRP). While a greater amount of information is known about the epidemiology of juvenile-onset than adult-onset RRP, fundamental work is still needed to more fully describe areas such as the mode of transmission. The primary management approach focuses on the removal of the papillomas by surgical debulking, although persistence of the human papillomavirus genome and subsequent recurrence of disease is the typical outcome. In a minority of patients, surgical management must be supplemented with adjuvant medical therapy, with IFN being the best studied and most commonly used. Other adjuvant treatments being employed include photodynamic therapy, indole-3-carbinol, ribavirin and cidofovir. Large controlled trials are lacking for all but IFN, making it extremely difficult to assess clinical benefit and risk in a systematic fashion at the current time. As with surgical management, viral persistence occurs following treatment with these adjuvant modalities, further contributing to the challenge of managing patients with this potentially devastating disease.

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis is a relatively rare disease caused by members of the human papilloma virus family. Lesions may occur anywhere throughout the respiratory tract but show a predilection for squamo-columnar epithelial junctions, frequently leading to hoarseness and upper airway obstruction. Rarely, it can progress to squamous cell carcinoma. The impact of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis on patients, their families, and the health care system is considerable. Unfortunately, despite extensive investigational studies, no cure is available for the disease. This article reviews the aetiology of and therapeutic options for recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.

Therapy for Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis

Human papillomaviruses types 6 or 11 are aetiological agents of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, a disease characterized by benign exophytic tumours usually on the vocal cords. Surgery debulks the tumours, but these growths generally recur at regular intervals. Adjunct medical treatments, aimed at containing the virus and growth of tumours, include indole-3-carbinol or its dimer diindolylmethane, interferon, photodynamic therapy and others. Preventive and therapeutic vaccines hold promise for eliminating the virus.

Successful ribavirin therapy for life-threatening laryngeal papillomatosis post liver transplantation

A 3-yr-old girl developed severe progressive juvenile laryngeal papillomatosis (JLP) 2 yr after liver transplantation (Tx) for biliary atresia. The papillomata were resistant to withdrawal of immunosuppression, to laser surgery, and to subcutaneous interferon (3 MU/m2, three times weekly), necessitating tracheostomy. Oral ribavirin therapy (25 mg/kg/day) in combination with no immunosuppression effectively prevented the rapid recurrence of JLP over 5 yr. Hence, oral ribavirin is a potentially useful therapy in this life-threatening situation and may also be of benefit in other children with severe JLP.

Pathogenesis and treatment of juvenile onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis

Juvenile onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis is the most common cause of laryngeal tumors in children. This disease is caused by infection of the human papillomavirus, a virus whose complete genetic structure is now known. New, more directed agents show promise for improved control of papillomatosis in preliminary studies. Concurrently, there is an increasing awareness of methods to reduce surgical morbidity. At present, the role of preventive efforts including elective caesarian section remains uncertain.

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis

Juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis is a vertically transmitted disease caused by members of the human papilloma virus family. Characterized by the relentless growth of papillomatous lesions of the larynx, recurrent respiratory papillomatosis imposes significant morbidity on patients and strain on their families. Surgical excision of the papillomata remains the mainstay of therapy, but human papilloma virus DNA persists in adjacent, normal-appearing mucosa and likely serves as a reservoir for viral reseeding. Despite multiple adjuvant treatment modalities, a cure for recurrent respiratory papillomatosis remains elusive. Most afflicted patients eventually enter spontaneous remission, but some endure several hundred surgical procedures before this welcome respite.

Role of cesarean section in prevention of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis--is there one?

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is a benign yet aggressive neoplasm that produces considerable morbidity in children. Previous studies have linked RRP in children to mothers with genital tract human papillomavirus infections (HPV). Risk factors for vertical transmission have not been well identified. Controversy exists among obstetricians and otolaryngologists regarding the role of cesarean section in preventing the transmission of HPV disease from mother to child. We address this issue by presenting the results of a national survey of otolaryngologists, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology position statement, the relevant literature regarding the association between RRP and maternal HPV, and the proposed mechanisms for HPV transmission at birth. We postulate a very limited role for cesarean section in preventing transmission of RRP, given our present knowledge of this disease.

Adult respiratory papillomatosis: human papillomavirus type and viral coinfections as predictors of prognosis

Pathologic material and the records of 29 patients with laryngeal papillomatosis were reviewed. The relationship between the type of human papillomavirus (HPV) and the presence of viral coinfections was correlated with clinical outcome. Using polymerase chain reaction, paraffin-embedded specimens were analyzed for the presence of HPV, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and herpes simplex virus (HSV). The HPV type could be identified in 24 patients' specimens. Twenty-one patients were infected with HPV type 6. The other 3 were infected with HPV type 11 or 16. Three patients developed squamous cell carcinoma, of whom 2 had HPV type 11 or 16. We found HSV, EBV, and CMV in 50%, 12.5%, and 0% of specimens, respectively. An aggressive clinical course was observed in 17 patients. Evidence of coinfection with other viruses was identified in 11 (65%) of these patients. In contrast, a benign clinical course was observed in 7 patients, of whom 2 (29%) had viral coinfections. We conclude that the HPV type and the presence of viral coinfections may be predictive of an aggressive clinical course.