Pregledni rad
https://doi.org/10.20471/LO.2025.53.02-03.14
Immunotherapy with imiquimod in cervical, vaginal, and vulvar intraepithelial lesions – a review of the literature
Damir Danolić
orcid.org/0000-0002-7633-6868
; Department of Gynaecologic Oncology, University Hospital for Tumors, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb; Catholic University of Croatia, Zagreb, Croatia
*
Luka Marcelić
; Department of Gynaecologic Oncology, University Hospital for Tumors, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Lucija Šušnjar
; Department of Gynaecologic Oncology, University Hospital for Tumors, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Ilija Alvir
; Department of Gynaecologic Oncology, University Hospital for Tumors, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Ivica Mamić
; Department of Gynaecologic Oncology, University Hospital for Tumors, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Domagoj Dobranić
; Department of Gynaecologic Oncology, University Hospital for Tumors, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Darko Tomica
; Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, General Hospital Scheibbs, Scheibbs, Austria
Tomislav Bečejac
; Jordanovac Clinical Department of Thoracic Surgery, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Domagoj Vidosavljević
; Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Mario Puljiz
; Department of Gynaecologic Oncology, University Hospital for Tumors, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb; Catholic University of Croatia, Zagreb, Croatia
* Dopisni autor.
Sažetak
Imiquimod is a topical immunomodulatory agent commonly used in treating various skin conditions, including precancerous lesions. This review summarizes current evidence on the efficacy and safety of imiquimod for treating vaginal, cervical, and vulvar intraepithelial neoplasias (VAIN, CIN, and VIN, respectively). These lesions are often associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and can progress to cancer if left untreated.
The review highlights that Imiquimod can stimulate the immune response to clear HPV-infected cells, suggesting it is a promising non-invasive treatment option for these lesions. Studies report varying success rates, with Imiquimod being particularly effective in treating VIN and showing potential in CIN and VAIN management. The treatment’s advantages include its non invasive nature, fewer side effects than traditional treatments (such as surgery), and the potential to preserve normal tissue. However, side effects such as local inflammation and discomfort are common, and treatment response can vary by lesion type and patient factors. The review concludes that Imiquimod therapy is a promising form of treatment, but more studies are needed to determine its optimal use, including treatment duration, dosing, and patient selection criteria.
Ključne riječi
imiquimod; human papillomavirus infection; non-surgical treatment; genital intraepithelial lesion
Hrčak ID:
344599
URI
Datum izdavanja:
17.2.2026.
Posjeta: 282 *