Clearance of cervical human papillomavirus infection by treatment for cervical dysplasia

Curcumin-Based Nanoformulations: A Promising Adjuvant towards Cancer Treatment

Throughout the United States, cancer remains the second leading cause of death. Traditional treatments induce significant medical toxic effects and unpleasant adverse reactions, making them inappropriate for long-term use. Consequently, anticancer-drug resistance and relapse are frequent in certain situations. Thus, there is an urgent necessity to find effective antitumor medications that are specific and have few adverse consequences. Curcumin is a polyphenol derivative found in the turmeric plant (Curcuma longa L.), and provides chemopreventive, antitumor, chemo-, and radio-sensitizing properties. In this paper, we summarize the new nano-based formulations of polyphenolic curcumin because of the growing interest in its application against cancers and tumors. According to recent studies, the use of nanoparticles can overcome the hydrophobic nature of curcumin, as well as improving its stability and cellular bioavailability in vitro and in vivo. Several strategies for nanocurcumin production have been developed, each with its own set of advantages and unique features. Because the majority of the curcumin-based nanoformulation evidence is still in the conceptual stage, there are still numerous issues impeding the provision of nanocurcumin as a possible therapeutic option. To support the science, further work is necessary to develop curcumin as a viable anti-cancer adjuvant. In this review, we cover the various curcumin nanoformulations and nanocurcumin implications for therapeutic uses for cancer, as well as the current state of clinical studies and patents. We further address the knowledge gaps and future research orientations required to develop curcumin as a feasible treatment candidate.

Prevalence of High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Infections before and after Cervical Lesion Treatment, among Women Living with HIV

Even when receiving combination antiretroviral therapy, women living with HIV are at high risk of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and/or cervical lesions, including cancer. Using data from the PapilloV prospective cohort, we evaluated the prevalence of high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) infections after cervical lesion treatment and investigated factors associated with their carriage. Women were followed up for three years with annual Pap smear and HPV genotyping. We offered treatment to women presenting either a Pap smear with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion or higher, and/or a biopsy showing cervical intraepithelial neoplasia II or III. We compared the prevalence of HR-HPV infection at the time of first treatment indication and at the end of follow-up among women who received treatment and those who did not. Overall, 46 women had treatment indication. HR-HPV prevalence significantly decreased from 67% to 27% (p value = 0.001) in the 30 women who received treatment, while it did not significantly decrease (from 56% to 38%) in the 16 women who did not (p value = 0.257). Due to lack of statistical power, the 40% relative difference in HR-HPV carriage between treated and untreated women was not significant. In women living with HIV, the treatment of a cervical lesion may be beneficial for clearing HR-HPV infections.

Human Papillomavirus Infection in Patients with Residual or Recurrent Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia

Aims and background

The main purpose of this longitudinal study was to evaluate the frequency of HPV infection in patients with residual or recurrent CIN.

Methods

797 consecutive patients with CIN, treated with conization, were included. In 38 patients with residual or recurrent CIN in whom reconization was performed, infection with high-risk HPV types was analyzed.

Results

Reconization was performed in 4.8% of patients. Before reconization, 21 patients (55.3%) were infected with high-risk HPV and 17 patients (44.7%) were HPV negative. Among the HPV-negative patients, two (11.8%) had CIN 1, five (29.4%) CIN 2, nine (52.9%) CIN 3 and one patient (5.9%) had microinvasive cancer of the uterine cervix. The difference in frequency of infection with high-risk HPV was not significant (chi-square 0.372; p>0.05).

Conclusions

On the basis of the study results it is not possible to recommend the HPV test as the only method of detection of residual or recurrent CIN after conization.

Patterns of persistent HPV infection after treatment for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN): A systematic review

A systematic review of the literature was conducted to determine the estimates of and definitions for human papillomavirus (HPV) persistence in women following treatment of cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN). A total of 45 studies presented data on post-treatment HPV persistence among 6,106 women. Most studies assessed HPV persistence after loop excision (42%), followed by conization (7%), cryotherapy (11%), laser treatment (4%), interferon-alpha, therapeutic vaccination, and photodynamic therapy (2% each) and mixed treatment (38%). Baseline HPV testing was conducted before or at treatment for most studies (96%). Follow-up HPV testing ranged from 1.5 to 80 months after baseline. Median HPV persistence tended to decrease with increasing follow-up time, declining from 27% at 3 months after treatment to 21% at 6 months, 15% at 12 months, and 10% at 24 months. Post-treatment HPV persistence estimates varied widely and were influenced by patient age, HPV-type, detection method, treatment method, and minimum HPV post-treatment testing interval. Loop excision and conization appeared to outperform cryotherapy procedures in terms of their ability to clear HPV infection. This systematic review provides evidence for the substantial heterogeneity in post-treatment HPV DNA testing practices and persistence estimates.

Persistence of Human Papillomavirus, Overexpression of p53, and Outcomes of Patients After Endoscopic Ablation of Barrett's Esophagus

We investigated the role of high-risk human papillomavirus (hr-HPV) in patients with Barrett's dysplasia and adenocarcinoma (EAC). Clearance vs persistence of HPV (DNA, E6 or E7 mRNA, and p16INK4A protein) and overexpression or mutation of p53 were determined for 40 patients who underwent endotherapy for Barrett's dysplasia or EAC. After ablation, dysplasia or neoplasia was eradicated in 34 subjects (24 squamous, 10 intestinal metaplasia). Six patients had detectable lesions after treatment; 2 were positive for transcriptionally active hr-HPV, and 4 had overexpression of p53. Before endotherapy, 15 patients had biologically active hr-HPV, 13 cleared the infection with treatment, and dysplasia or EAC was eliminated from 12 patients. One patient who cleared HPV after ablation acquired a p53 mutation, and their cancer progressed. Of 13 patients with overexpression of p53 before treatment, 10 cleared the p53 abnormality after ablation with eradication of dysplasia or neoplasia, whereas 3 of 13 had persistent p53 mutation-associated dysplasia after endotherapy (P = .004). Immunohistochemical and sequence analyses of p53 produced concordant results for 36 of 40 samples (90%). Detection of dysplasia or neoplasia after treatment was associated with HPV persistence or continued p53 overexpression.

Comparison of two surgical methods for the treatment of CIN: classical LLETZ (large-loop excision of the transformation zone) versus isolated resection of the colposcopic apparent lesion - study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background

In compliance with national and international guidelines, non-pregnant women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 should be treated by cervical conization. According to the definition of the large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) operation, the lesion needs to be resected, including the transformation zone. It is well known from the literature that the cone size directly correlates with the risk of preterm delivery in the course of a future pregnancy. Thus, it would be highly desirable to keep the cone dimension as small as possible while maintaining the same level of oncological safety.

Methods/Design

The aim of this study is to analyze whether resection of the lesion only, without additional excision of the transformation zone, is equally as effective as the classical LLETZ operation regarding oncological outcome. We are performing this prospective, patient-blinded multicenter trial by randomly assigning women who need to undergo a LLETZ operation for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 to either of the following two groups at a ratio of 1:1: (1) additional resection of the transformation zone or (2) resection of the lesion only. To evaluate equal oncological outcome, we are performing human papillomavirus (HPV) tests 6 and 12 months postoperatively. The study is designed to consider the lesion-only operation as oncologically not inferior if the rate of HPV high-risk test results is not higher than 5 % compared with the HPV high-risk rate of women undergoing the classical LLETZ operation.

Discussion

In case that non-inferiority of the “lesion-only” method can be demonstrated, this operation should eventually become standard treatment for all women at childbearing age due to the reduction in risk of preterm delivery.

Trial registration

German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS) Identifier: DRKS00006169. Date of registration: 30 July 2014.

Predictors of recurrence in high-grade cervical lesions and a plan of management

PRÉCIS: Positive endocervical margins are an important predictor of recurrence in high-grade cervical lesions, and though they do not always warrant retreatment, closer surveillance is recommended.

OBJECTIVE

To identify predictors of recurrence and persistence of high-grade cervical dysplasia and to determine appropriate follow-up.

DESIGN

prospective pilot study.

SETTING

Gynaecological surgical center.

POPULATION

Three hundred fifty-two patients were treated between 1999 and 2002 for high-grade lesions.

METHODS

According to the accessibility of the transformation zone and the degree of dysplasia, patients were treated either by conization or by loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP). Follow-up comprised colposcopy and Pap-smear screening 4-6 months after treatment as well as high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) testing before and after treatment.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

underscore predictors of recurrence and propose a treatment flowchart for both management and follow-up.

RESULTS

Of the 352 patients, 37 (10.5%) had true recurrence 6 months after initial surgical treatment and 6 patients (1.7%) had persistent lesions. Overall, 43 patients (12.2%) were considered as having recurrent disease. Patients were followed up for 5 years with a mean of 73 months. The most important predictor of recurrence was a positive HR-HPV test at 6 months postoperatively (odds ratio 38.8, 95% confidence interval 14.09, 107.05). The second significant predictor was positive endocervical margins and the third was positive pre-treatment HPV typing. A positive post-treatment HPV test had a more significant influence on risk than a positive test before treatment.

CONCLUSION

In agreement with recent findings, our study supports the usefulness of the HR-HPV test in the follow-up of treated high-grade lesions, especially when excision margins were positive.

Posttreatment human papillomavirus testing for recurrent cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the characteristics of human papillomavirus testing, particularly Hybrid Capture 2, in follow-up evaluations after treatment for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia for the detection of residual or recurrent cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade >/= 2.

STUDY DESIGN

Medline was searched for relevant studies that were published between 1992 and September 2007. Of the 1107 citations that were identified, 20 articles met the inclusion criteria.

RESULTS

Studies that used polymerase chain reaction testing were too heterogeneous to combine. We identified 5 studies that performed both Hybrid Capture 2 and colposcopy. Pooled sensitivity for Hybrid Capture 2 was 90.7% (95% CI, 75.4-96.9%), and pooled specificity was 74.6% (95% CI, 60.4-85.0%). Pooled sensitivity for cervical cytologic testing was 76.6% (95% CI, 62.0-86.8%), and pooled specificity was 89.7% (95% CI, 22.7-99.6%).

CONCLUSION

Hybrid Capture 2 testing can identify approximately 91% of women with residual or recurrent cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade >/= 2; however, approximately 30% of women would undergo colposcopy in follow-up evaluation.

Photodynamic therapy of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia with hexaminolevulinate

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

CIN is a disease of women in their reproductive years, and treatment includes excisional techniques with increased risk of preterm deliveries. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) using topical precursor of photoactive porphyrins may be a non-invasive alternative with minimal side effects. This study assessed the feasibility and response rate of PDT with hexaminolevulinate (HAL) in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.

STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty four patients with a CIN 2 or 3 or a persistent CIN 1 and a positive high-risk HPV-DNA test were included. Each patient had gynaecologic examination including cervical cytology, HPV DNA testing, colposcopy and biopsy. Ten milliliters of HAL-thermogel (10 mM) were topically applied to the cervix for 3-5 hours, followed by 1,000 seconds of illumination of both ecto- and endocervical canal with red coherent light (wave length 633 nm) using a PDT laser and a special light catheter. Follow-up examinations were carried out after 3 (cytology, colposcopy, HPV DNA testing, and if needed re-PDT) and 6 months.

RESULTS

Seven, 10, and 7 patients had a CIN 1, 2, or 3, respectively. Treatment could be accomplished in all cases and no severe side effects were encountered. Fifteen out of the 24 patients had a complete response (15/24 = 63%) and a HPV remission 6 months after 1-3 treatments. The remission rates were 71%, 50%, and 71% for CIN 1, 2 and 3.

CONCLUSION

HAL PDT seems to be a non-invasive, repeatable procedure for CIN and cervical HPV infection with minimal side effects which can be easily performed on outpatient basis.

Persistence of human papillomavirus as a predictor for treatment failure after loop electrosurgical excision procedure

We aimed to investigate whether postconization human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing can predict treatment failure and improve the accuracy of conventional follow-up in women with high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Between March 2001 and October 2005, 120 patients with confirmed CIN 2 or 3 were treated with loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) and were enrolled. Six patients were lost to the follow-up. Postconization follow-up was performed at every 3–6 months during the first year and then annually. Specimens were tested for the presence of HPV, using the Hybrid Capture 2 (Digene Co, Gaithersburg, MD) and HPV DNA chip (Mygene Co, Seoul, Korea) test. Persistent HPV infection was defined as persistently (two times or more) positive HPV tests with the same HPV subtype(s) at initial diagnosis. Twenty-two (19.3%) patients showed treatment failure after conization. The only significant risk factor for redevelopment of CIN after conization was persistence of the same HPV subtype (P< 0.0001). And women with recurrent or residual CIN had higher HPV load during the 6-month follow-up postconization. In conclusion, the persistence of the same HPV subtype after LEEP conization was an important predictor of treatment failure. The follow-up protocol after conization of CIN should include both cervical cytology and HPV test, and HPV DNA chip test is needed to detect a persistent HPV infection.

High-risk HPV presence in cervical specimens after a large loop excision of the cervical transformation zone: Significance of newly detected hr-HPV genotypes

Large loop excision of the cervical transformation zone (LLETZ) is a well-established treatment for high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. It has even been postulated that LLETZ is responsible for the elimination of the infectious agent, human papillomavirus (HPV), causing the lesion. Most studies on HPV detection after LLETZ have focused on the persistence of high-risk (hr-) HPV to identify women at risk for residual or recurrent disease. Therefore, the appearance and significance of hr-HPV types newly detected after surgical treatment has not been studied extensively so far. The presence of hr-HPV in 85 high-grade squamous cervical LLETZ biopsies and in the first follow-up smear was determined. In 80 (94%) of the LLETZ biopsies hr-HPV was detected in contrast to 30 (35%) hr-HPV positive follow-up scrapes. Twenty of the 80 hr-HPV positive women (25%) had the same hr-HPV genotypes in their follow-up cervical smears as was found in the corresponding biopsies. In the follow-up smear of 13 women a new hr-HPV genotype was detected and HPV 18 was newly detected in 8 of them. The remarkably high presence of newly detected HPV 18 genotypes may argue for a release or re-activation of this virus from proximal layers of the cervical canal incised during surgery.

Persistent HPV infection after conization in patients with negative margins

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the rate of clearance of high-risk HPV after conization with negative margins and to identify the factors that may predict high-risk HPV clearance/persistence after conization with negative margins.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of 69 patients (mean age 39.5 years, range 25-60 years) with histologically verified CIN 2 or CIN 3 who underwent electroknife conization with negative margins between March 2002 and December 2003. High-risk HPV testing was performed on cervical cytology prior to and 6 months after conization. Hybrid Capture II testing was used to detect HPV DNA.

RESULTS

High-risk HPVs were detected in the primary cervical lesions of 67 of 69 patients (97.1%) prior to conization. Follow-up at 6 months revealed that high-risk HPVs were eradicated by conization in 82.1%. Univariate analysis showed that persistent HPV infection after conization with negative margins was more likely to occur when the pretreatment viral load was high (RLU/PC > 500) (P = 0.005). HPV infection after conization with negative margins was persistent in 43.8% (7/16) of patients with high viral load (RLU/PC > 500) and in 9.8% (5/51) of patients with low viral load (RLU/PC < or = 500). Multiple regression analysis showed that high viral load (RLU/PC > 500) was the only significant independent predictor of HPV persistence (P = 0.0027).

CONCLUSIONS

High-risk HPV infections were effectively eliminated by conization with negative margins in most cases. Because high viral loads are significantly associated with high-risk HPV persistence after conization with negative margins, patients with high viral loads prior to conization should be closely followed.

comparison of two commercial assays for detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) in cervical scrape specimens: validation of the Roche AMPLICOR HPV test as a means to screen for HPV genotypes associated with a higher risk of cervical disorders

Certain high-risk (HR) human papillomavirus (HPV) types are a necessary cause for the development of cervical disorders. Women with persistent HR HPV infections have an increased risk of developing high-grade cervical lesions, compared with those who have no or low-risk HPV infections. Therefore, implementation of HPV detection into cervical screening programs might identify women at risk of cervical cancer. Several HPV detection methods with different sensitivities and specificities are available. Recently, a new PCR-based technique, the Roche AMPLICOR HPV Test, was developed. This test recognizes a group of 13 HR HPV types simultaneously. This study was undertaken to validate and compare HPV detection in 573 cervical scrape specimens by the AMPLICOR HPV Test and the INNO-LiPA HPV detection/genotyping assay (SPF10-LiPA system version 1). Human beta-globin was not detected in nine specimens, which were therefore excluded from the comparison. Eleven scrape specimens containing HPV type 53 or 66 were also excluded from the comparison because these (probably) HR HPV types cannot be detected by the AMPLICOR HPV Test. The results of HPV detection by the Roche AMPLICOR HPV Test were confirmed by INNO-LiPA HPV detection/genotyping assay in 539/553 cases, showing an absolute agreement of 97.5% with a Cohen's kappa of 0.9327, indicating almost complete similarity of the two tests. Like the INNO-LiPA HPV detection/genotyping assay, the AMPLICOR HPV Test was sensitive, specific, feasible, and easy to handle. The value of the Roche AMPLICOR HPV Test with a broad-spectrum HR HPV detection has to be determined in prospective clinical studies.

The role treatment for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia plays in the disappearance of human papilloma virus

OBJECTIVE

To explore the role played by excision of the transformation zone in women diagnosed with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in the disappearance of human papillomavirus (HPV).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In a retrospective, cohort study, women with CIN who were treated by loop electrosurgical excision procedure of the transformation zone were compared with another group of women with CIN who were managed expectantly. The decision to treat or manage expectantly was made by one of the authors on clinical grounds. All patients were evaluated with cervical cytologic analysis, pathologic examination of excised tissue, and HPV DNA testing, which was considered positive when high-risk HPV types were detected. Among women treated with loop electrosurgical excision procedure, the median lag time was calculated from diagnosis of CIN to treatment. The median time for conversion from HPV-positive to HPV-negative status in both groups was compared, as well as the 1- and 2-year cure rates (defined as converting to HPV-negative status) in the treated and untreated groups.

RESULTS

In the treated group, 12% had CIN 1, 83% had CIN 2,3, 2% had cancer, and 3% had normal pathologic results. In the untreated group, 82% had CIN 1, 16% had CIN 2,3, and 2% had normal pathologic results (p < 0.0001). The lag time from the initial diagnosis of CIN to treatment was less than 1 month. The median follow-up time was 7 months (range, 1-121 months) in the treated group and 13 months (range, 1-70 months) in the untreated group. The 1-year rates of conversion to HPV-negative status, defined as the cure rates in the treated and untreated groups, were 65% (+/- 6%) and 23% (+/- 7%), respectively, and the 2-year cure rates in the treated and untreated groups were 90% (+/- 4%) and 56% (+/- 11%), respectively (p < 0.0001). Median time to conversion to a negative HPV status was 7.7 months for the treated patients compared with 19.4 months in the untreated patients (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Women treated by loop electrosurgical excision procedure are more likely convert to HPV-negative status at 1 and 2 years and do so significantly sooner than those managed expectantly.

Pitfalls in the diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 1

OBJECTIVE

This review article outlines the issues involved in (1) the cytologic diagnosis of low-grade squamous intra-epithelial lesion (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia [CIN] 1), (2) histologic diagnosis of CIN 1, (3) the advantages and disadvantages of various management strategies for CIN 1 confirmed by biopsy, and (4) the evolving technology that may be useful for predicting the course of the disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A MEDLINE search was conducted using the search terms cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, low-grade dysplasia, mild dysplasia, low-risk squamous intraepithelial lesion, mild dyskaryosis, HPV, colposcopy, histology, and cytology. RESULTS.: Using a loop electrosurgical excision procedure or cone biopsy assessment of the cervix as the gold standard, a cytologic assessment of CIN 1 alone results in a high false-positive rate (51.5%) and a false-negative rate (24%) for CIN 3. The appropriate second test after low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (CIN 1) cytologic results includes repeat cervical cytologic analysis. Subsequent human papillomavirus testing provides no advantage and increases the cost of care. Immediate referral to colposcopy is costly but minimizes the percent of women lost to follow-up. Using a loop electrosurgical excision procedure or cone biopsy assessment of the cervix as the gold standard, the colposcopically directed biopsy may give a false-positive result (11.7%) or false-negative result (up to 31%) for CIN 3. One contributing issue is the moderate interobserver reliability of histologic analysis (kappa= 0.46). There are advantages and disadvantages to both the immediate and expectant management strategies. The most crucial concern for immediate treatment is overtreatment, and that for expectant management the high rate of patients lost to follow-up. Novel technologies, including MIB-1, p16(INK)4a, and genetic assessments, may be helpful in predicting those CIN 1 lesions destined to progress or to persist.

CONCLUSIONS

The cytologic and histologic diagnosis of CIN 1 is fraught with problems related to the subjectivity of the diagnosis. Both management options are also fraught with concerns. Any technique that can better predict disease course would be an advantage to the care of women with this abnormality.

Factors associated with HPV persistence after treatment for high-grade cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia with large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ)

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) persistence after high-grade cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN) removal may be associated with residual lesions or risk of disease recurrence. Knowledge regarding the factors associated with HPV persistence following CIN treatment is still limited. The main purpose of this longitudinal study was to assess the association between characteristics of the patients and their cervical lesions with high-risk HPV-type persistence, detected by commercially available Hybrid Capture II (HC II), after CIN 2 and 3 treatment with large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ).

STUDY DESIGN

For this cohort study, a total of 94 women submitted to LLETZ between March 2001 and September 2002 were included. Only women with at least one follow-up visit at 6 or 12 months and confirmed CIN 2 or 3 in the cone specimen were considered. In each visit women answered to a questionnaire and undertook Pap smear and HC II specimens collection. McNemar's, chi-square and Fisher tests were used for univariate analysis. Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) were used for multivariate analysis. All calculations were performed within 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

RESULTS

Histological evaluation showed 12 (13%) women with CIN, 2 and 82 (87%) with CIN 3 and conization margins were compromised in 27 (29%) cases. Eighty-seven (92%) women showed positive HC II tests prior to LLETZ. Of women initially HPV negative, none had a positive HC II during follow-up. The proportion of positive HPV tests was reduced from 92% to 20%(P < 0.01) at the first visit and to 22% (P < 0.01) at the second visit after LLETZ. Multivariate analysis showed that smoking and age above 35 years (irrespective of margin status) were strongly associated with positive HPV during follow-up.

CONCLUSION

HPV persistence following LLETZ was associated with smoking and with the interaction between age and conization margins.

The Clinical Usefulness of Human Papillomavirus Testing in the Follow-up of Women after Treatment for Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effectiveness of human papillomavirus (HPV) testing and cervical cytologic analysis in monitoring patients after treatment for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective study comparing cytologic analysis and HPV testing using the follow-up protocol recommended by the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology Consensus Conference. Sixty-one patients were seen for a total of 193 follow-up patient visits. In 120 visits, both cytologic and HPV results were available. Specificity, sensitivity, positive and negative predictive values, and the rate of referral to colposcopy were calculated.

RESULTS

In 68 visits, both HPV and cytologic results were negative, and in 19, both were positive. In 21 visits, cytologic results were positive and HPV results were negative, and in 12 visits, cytologic results were negative and HPV results were positive. The specificity of cytologic analysis and HPV testing was 68.3% and 75.8%, respectively (p = .16). The positive predictive value for cytologic analysis and HPV testing was 6.5% and 7.5%, respectively, and the negative predictive value was 100% and 98.9%, respectively. Had either test been used alone, cytologic analysis would have referred 40 patients to colposcopy and HPV testing would have referred 31 patients. Had both been used in combination, 52 patients would have required colposcopy with no significant improvement in the amount of disease detected.

CONCLUSIONS

Both cytologic analysis and HPV testing are equally effective in monitoring patients after treatment for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. The simultaneous use of cytologic analysis and HPV testing significantly increased colposcopy referrals without increasing the amount of disease detected.

Epidemiological and clinical aspects of human papillomavirus detection in the prevention of cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is a major cause of death, and the second most frequent cancer in women worldwide. Many studies have indicated a causal relation between genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and cervical cancer. High-risk HPV genotypes have been detected in almost 100% of all cervical cancers, and the process of HPV mediated carcinogenesis has been partly clarified. The concept that HPV is a obligatory cause in cervical cancer development has lead to extensive research regarding the incorporation of HPV detection in (1) cervical cancer prevention programs, (2) triage of women with abnormal cervical scrapes in the screening program, and (3) follow-up of patients treated for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Epidemiological studies indicate that 50% of women becoming sexually active contract a genital HPV infection within 2 years. The lifetime risk of a genital HPV infection is estimated to be 80%, but very few of these women will develop cervical cancer. Several studies have shown that the persistence of genital HPV infections is especially related to the development of cervical cancer. As a result, HPV detection at a single moment was shown to be of limited clinical value in the triage of patients with abnormal cervical scrapes, or during follow-up after treatment for CIN. Furthermore, major variations in the sensitivity of different HPV detection methods, as well as differences in HPV detection related to the menstrual cycle, have shown that many facts regarding HPV transmission, replication, and detection need to be clarified, before HPV detection can be of clinical value.

Value of human papillomavirus testing after conization by loop electrosurgical excision for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to evaluate human papillomavirus (HPV) testing during the follow-up of patients after conization by loop electrosurgical excision for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion.

METHODS

A prospective study was conducted on 205 patients who underwent conization for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (CIN 2 or 3). Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) was used in all cases. High-risk HPV testing was realized by the Hybrid Capture II system before and 3 months after conization.

RESULTS

Of the 205 patients, 193 (94.1%) were positive for the HPV test before conization. Seventy-one were HPV positive after conization (34.6%). The margins were positive in 36.1%. Residual disease was observed in 27 cases (13.2%). Four patients (2%) developed a recurrence after a mean follow-up of 18.1 months (+/-12). There was no correlation between pretreatment HPV testing and the residual disease or recurrence. Patients with positive margins were significantly more likely to have residual disease than those with negative margins (P < 0.0001). Residual disease was more likely to occur when the posttreatment HPV test was positive (P < 10(-7)). All recurrences were observed in patients with a positive posttreatment HPV test (P < 0.05). Residual disease and recurrence were correctly predicted with a sensitivity of 81 and 100%, respectively, and a negative predictive value of 96 and 100%.

CONCLUSION

Posttreatment HPV testing could be useful in the follow-up of patients after conization. In case of negative posttreatment HPV testing, the frequency of follow-up could be reduced, particularly in those patients with free margins.

Factors predicting human papillomavirus clearance in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia lesions treated by conization

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to identify the factors, if any, that may predict long-term results of CIN treatment and HPV clearance/persistence after locally excisional therapy.

METHODS

A series of 252 women with CIN lesions treated by conization were subjected to sequential HPV detection by repeated PCR during the prospective posttreatment follow-up. Factors predicting viral clearance during the follow-up (10.26 months) were elaborated using univariate and multivariate statistical techniques applied on epidemiological, clinical and biological data of the lesions.

RESULTS

Sensitivity of the PAP test in detecting high-grade lesions was 93.9%, and specificity 27.3%. Odds ratio for having CIN 3/Stage IA1 squamous cervical cancer in the cone with HSIL PAP test was 5.69; 77.8 and 22.2% residual disease were found among PCR-positive and -negative cases, respectively. HPV DNA was negative in 74/252 (29.8%) samples at the first PCR. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that HPV 16 was an independent explanatory factor for high-grade CIN (P = 0.0001). HPV clearance increased to 63.5% at completion of the follow-up, corresponding to the monthly clearance rate of 5.27%. In Kaplan-Meier analysis, the highly significant (P = 0.0001) predictors of HPV clearance/persistence were age, lesion grade in the biopsy, lesion grade in the cone, volume of the cone, length of active sexual life, and involvement of endocervical margin (P = 0.0013). In chi-square tests, high-risk HPV type (P = 0.001) was such a predictor. In multivariate (Cox) model, the significant independent predictors of HPV clearance were involved endocervical margin (P = 0.001), lesion grade in the cone (P = 0.004), high-grade lesion in the colposcopic biopsy (P = 0.023), age (P = 0.029), and HSIL in PAP smear (P = 0.029).

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that posttreatment follow-up should include both the PAP test and HPV detection techniques for early detection of any patients at increased risk for disease recurrence and progression, because of persistent oncogenic HPV types.

The role of genotype-specific human papillomavirus detection in diagnosing residual cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

We assessed prospectively whether residual cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) after treatment for high-grade CIN can be predicted by genotype-specific high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) detection in follow-up cervical scrapes. A broad spectrum, highly sensitive SPF(10)-LiPA-PCR HPV detection technique was used on cervical scrapes before large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ), on the LLETZ biopsy and on follow-up scrapes of 90 patients treated for high-grade CIN. HR-HPV was detected in the biopsies of 93% (n = 84) of the patients and in the follow-up scrapes of 48% (n = 43) of the patients. In 12 patients, genotype-specific HR-HPV persistence was detected in both follow-up scrapes. In 10 patients, residual CIN was detected. In 5 of these patients (including all patients with residual CIN 3), the follow-up scrapes showed genotype-specific HR-HPV persistence. In 2 patients, a different HR-HPV was detected, and 3 patients had HR-HPV-negative follow-up scrapes. Conventional cytologic follow-up was abnormal in 13 patients including all 10 patients with residual CIN. The negative predictive value (NPV) of HR-HPV detection on follow-up scrapes was high (94%). Repeat detection of genotype-specific HR-HPV showed a lower sensitivity and NPV than repeat detection of any HR-HPV, but its specificity was higher. Repeat conventional cytologic follow-up showed the highest sensitivity and NPV. In conclusion, the presence of HR-HPV in cervical scrapes after LLETZ for high-grade CIN is a risk factor for the presence of residual CIN. HR-HPV genotype-specific persistence is specifically present in patients with residual CIN 3. However, HR-HPV detection cannot predict or exclude the presence of residual CIN in the individual patient and additional procedures remain necessary.

Is high-risk human papillomavirus infection associated with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia eliminated after conization by large-loop excision of the transformation zone?

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether high-risk HPV infection associated with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) was successfully eliminated after electrosurgical conization by large-loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ).

STUDY DESIGN

142 women, who were admitted for conization of CIN 1-3 were recruited into a prospective follow-up study of HPV infection, including cervical sampling for HPV DNA before, and then 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. We examined whether there were any differences in the rate of HPV DNA positivity after LLETZ between specific risk groups, such as patients with primary (i.e. before surgical treatment) high-risk HPV infection, CIN of different grades, and positive margins.

RESULTS

We did not detect statistically significant differences between specific risk groups. According to the assay used (hybrid capture II) at the last follow-up visit 94% of primarily infected patients were completely free from infection with high-risk HPV types, while 6% had persisting HPV infection.

CONCLUSIONS

With a detection limit of 5000 genomes/ml HPV DNA the hybrid capture II results revealed, that after electrosurgical removal of CIN in 94% of patients testing positive for high-risk HPV DNA prior to surgery were negative 12 months post-surgery.

Primary screening for human papillomavirus infection

As human papillomavirus infection is now known to be a necessary risk factor for at least 95% of cervical cancers, the medical community has a responsibility to assess and evaluate how this knowledge should best be used for the prevention of cervical cancer. Organized screening strategies combining cytological screening with human papillomavirus testing in older age groups could theoretically be more sensitive than current screening programmes in reducing the incidence of cervical cancer. If it is possible safely to extend the screening interval in human papillomavirus-negative women, such programmes could also both be more effective and more cost-efficient. Although some modelling studies have indicated that this could indeed be the case, evidence from clinical trials evaluating the long-term protective effect of primary human papillomavirus screening is still lacking. The key issues on the research agenda for primary human papillomavirus screening are reviewed.

Regular disappearance of the human papillomavirus genome after conization of cervical dysplasia by carbon dioxide laser

OBJECTIVE

We wished to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment of cervical dysplasia by laser conization in relation to persistence of human papillomavirus after treatment.

STUDY DESIGN

Of 203 women referred to colposcopy because of an abnormal Papanicolaou smear, 149 women could be followed up for 3 years. A total of 108 women were treated by carbon dioxide laser excision, 4 women were treated by carbon dioxide laser evaporation, and 37 women were merely followed up. Cervical samples were taken before treatment and at follow-up 3 years later and were analyzed by nested general primer polymerase chain reaction for human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid.

RESULTS

Among women treated by laser conization, 82 (73.2%) had positive results for human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid before treatment. Three women (2.7%) had a positive finding at follow-up, but no woman had the same human papillomavirus type on both occasions. Eighty-eight women had grade 1 to grade 3 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia before treatment, whereas during follow-up only 2 squamous cells atypias were found.

CONCLUSION

The human papillomavirus genome present before treatment was regularly cleared, and there was also no recurrence of dysplasia. The results suggest that human papillomavirus testing is useful for monitoring the efficacy of treatment and that treatment modalities resulting in clearance of human papillomavirus should be favored.

Association between subjective sleep quality and depression on immunocompetence in low-income women at risk for cervical cancer

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether subjective sleep quality is more strongly associated with immunocompetence than depression among women at risk for cervical cancer.

METHODS

Participants were 91 women referred for colposcopy because of abnormal results on a Pap smear. On the day of the procedure. participants completed the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, two indices of subjective sleep quality (ie, satisfaction with sleep obtained and degree of sleep restfulness), and a health behaviors assessment questionnaire. Levels of peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations (helper T, cytotoxic/suppressor T, NK, and B cells) were also assessed at this time. Approximately 10 days later, the presence of depressive disorder was assessed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R.

RESULTS

Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that satisfaction with the amount of sleep obtained was significantly associated with the circulating number and percentage of helper T cells (T(H)/CD4+) and the percentage of cytotoxic/suppressor T cells (T(C)/CD8+), after controlling for confounder variables (ie, age, smoking status, and drug use). Depression was significantly associated only with the percentage of T(C) cells. Sleep satisfaction remained significantly associated with the number and percentage of T(H) cells and percentage of T(C) cells after controlling for the variance explained by depression.

CONCLUSIONS

Results of this study suggest that subjective sleep quality shares a significant and independent portion of the variance with immunity that is not accounted for by depression. Although the long-term impact of these immune alterations on disease progression needs to be directly explored, it may be important to systematically screen for and manage sleep disturbance in women at high risk for cervical cancer.