Imiquimod for Cervical and Vaginal Intraepithelial Neoplasia
July 2023
in “
Obstetrics & Gynecology
”
TLDR Imiquimod may be a better non-surgical treatment for cervical pre-cancer, but its effectiveness for vaginal pre-cancer is unclear, and it has some side effects.
The systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness and side effects of imiquimod, a topical medication, for treating Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN) and Vaginal Intraepithelial Neoplasia (VAIN). The study found that imiquimod is potentially a superior alternative to surgery for CIN, with a pooled odds ratio (OR) for histologic regression of 4.27 (95% CI 2.11–8.66). However, data on its effectiveness for VAIN was inconclusive. Adverse events were common, but less than 10% of patients discontinued treatment, indicating that imiquimod is generally well-tolerated. Three cases of temporary hair loss were reported, but it was reversible in all cases. The study recommends further research to optimize imiquimod administration and manage adverse events.