1. Safety and efficacy of topical artesunate for the treatment of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia 2/3.
- Author
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Michener CM, Ricci S, AlHilli M, Beffa L, Debernardo R, Waggoner SE, Brainard J, Plesa M, Belinson JL, and Trimble CL
- Subjects
- Female, Humans, Artesunate adverse effects, Prospective Studies, Biopsy, Papillomavirus Infections drug therapy, Neoplasms, Vulvar Neoplasms drug therapy, Vulvar Neoplasms pathology, Carcinoma in Situ pathology
- Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of topical artesunate ointment for treatment of biopsy-confirmed Human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) 2/3., Methods: Participants were enrolled on a prospective, IRB-approved, dose-escalation phase I trial testing either 1, 2 or 3 treatment cycles (5 days), every other week, as applicable. Clinical assessments were completed prior to each dose cycle and included exam and review of adverse event (AE) diary cards. HPV testing and colposcopy was completed at 15 and 28 weeks. AEs were assessed according to CTCAE 4.0 criteria. Complete responders (CR) underwent biopsy of the treated site at the 28-weeks while partial (PR) and non (NR)-responders underwent surgical resection or biopsy and ablation., Results: Fifteen patients consented to and began treatment. Per-protocol assessments were completed in 100% at 15- and 80% at 28-weeks. All patients completed prescribed cycles with no grade 3 or 4 AEs. Vulvovaginal burning/ was the most common AE occurring in 93.3%. AEs were grade 2 in 23.7% and included vulvovaginal pruritus (n = 3), swelling (n = 3) and candidiasis (n = 2). The highest ORR was in the 3-cycle group (88.9% with 55.6% CR). HPV-16 was detected either alone (46.7%) or with other subtypes (33.3%) in 80% of lesions and 5 of 8 (62.5%) with CR had complete viral clearance., Conclusions: Topical artesunate for treatment of high-grade VIN shows high tolerability, low toxicity and evidence for clinical response in this initial small series. The safety and observed responses support further study in a Phase II trial., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest MP is employed by Frantz Medical Group, JLB has advised and run investigator-initiated clinical trials for multiple biotech companies including many that are involved in HPV related science. Specifically in regards to this study Dr. Belinson serves as a medical advisor to Frantz Viral Therapeutics. Outside of the presented work, CMM has recent/ current stock options/ ownership of MedaSync. All other authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2023
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