Human papillomavirus-type predict the clinical outcome of imiquimod therapy for women with vulvar condylomata acuminata.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of determination of human papillomavirus (HPV) subtype on the success of imiquimod therapy in women with vulvar condylomata acuminata.

METHODS

A total of 132 women with biopsy-proven vulvar condylomata acuminata were enrolled in this prospective study. HPV DNA detection and determination of genotype were made through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. The women were treated with imiquimod cream 5% in the area of the visible lesions, three times a week at night for 16 weeks.

RESULTS

Twelve of the 132 women (9.1%) failed to detect any improvement with this therapy during the 16-week period. However, 80 women (60.6%) experienced total clearance of the lesions, and 20 women (15.2%) observed a partial response. The complete response rates were 76.2% for HPV-6, 66.7% for HPV-11, 35% for HPV-6 plus 11, and 6.3% for unclassified HPV subtypes (other HPV subtypes than HPV 6 and -11).

CONCLUSIONS

Topical imiquimod 5% cream is an appropriate treatment modality for HPV-6 or -11 positive vulvar warts.