A Pilot Study of the Immunologic, Virologic, and Pathologic Consequences of Intra-anal 5% Imiquimod in HIV-1-Infected Men With High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Imiquimod can be used to treat internal anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions. In HIV-1-infected individuals there is a theoretical concern for increased HIV replication in anorectal tissue secondary to imiquimod-induced mucosal inflammation.

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this study was to assess local virologic, immunologic, and pathologic effects of imiquimod treatment in HIV-infected individuals.

DESIGN:

This was a pilot study at a single academic center.

SETTINGS:

The study was conducted at the University of Pittsburgh Anal Dysplasia Clinic.

PATIENTS:

HIV-1-infected individuals with biopsy-confirmed internal anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions were included.

INTERVENTION:

Imiquimod cream was prescribed for intra-anal use 3 times per week for 9 weeks.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

Anal human papillomavirus typing, anal and rectal tissue HIV-1 RNA and DNA quantification, cytokine gene expression, and anal histology were measured.

RESULTS:

Nine evaluable participants (1 participant was lost to follow-up) were all white men with a median age of 46 years (interquartile range = 12 y) and a median CD4 T-cell count of 480 cells per cubic millimeter (interquartile range = 835). All were taking antiretroviral therapy, and 7 of 9 had HIV-1 RNA <50 copies per milliliter. The median dose of imiquimod used was 27.0 (interquartile range = 3.5), and there was a median of 11 days (interquartile range = 10 d) from last dose to assessment. There was no progression to cancer, no significant change in the number of human papillomavirus types detected, and no significant change in quantifiable cytokines/HIV-1 RNA or DNA levels in anal or rectal tissue. Seven (35%) of 20 high-grade lesions resolved to low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions.

LIMITATIONS:

The study was limited by the small number of participants and variable time to final assessment.

CONCLUSIONS:

Intra-anal imiquimod showed no evidence of immune activation or increase in HIV-1 viral replication in anal and rectal tissue and confirmed efficacy for intra-anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion treatment morbidity. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A498.

• Authors: Ross D Cranston, Jonathan R Baker, Aaron Siegel, Rhonda M Brand, Laura Janocko, Ian McGowan
• Journal: Diseases of the colon and rectum (Dis Colon Rectum) Vol. 61 Issue 3 Pg. 298-305 (Mar 2018) ISSN: 1530-0358 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 29360679 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Aminoquinolines
• Cytokines
• Imiquimod

Topics

• Adult
• Aminoquinolines (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Anal Canal (pathology)
• Anus Neoplasms
• Carcinoma in Situ (drug therapy, etiology, pathology)
• Cytokines
• HIV Infections (complications)
• HIV-1
• Humans
• Imiquimod
• Male
• Papillomavirus Infections (complications, drug therapy)
• Pilot Projects
• Prospective Studies