Bowenoid papulosis of the vulva-immunotherapeutical approach with topical imiquimod.
BACKGROUND
Bowenoid papulosis is a characteristic lesion of the ano-genital region and represents a form of squamous cell carcinoma in situ, very often associated to the oncogenic high-risk human papilloma virus (HPV) types 16, 18, 31 and 33. Therapies applied so far, in general, show high rates of relapse, and patients complain of pruritus and pain. Imiquimod cream is a topical immune response modifier with indirect antiviral and antitumor effects through the stimulation of local cytokine production and cell-mediated immune response.


METHODS
In the present paper we report on the topical application of imiquimod cream in a woman with a high-risk HPV-associated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia grade III (VIN III) of the vulva.


CONCLUSIONS
In addition a review of the literature is given.
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001913:Bowen's Disease; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077271:Imiquimod; D007167:Immunotherapy; D027383:Papillomaviridae; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000628:therapy; D014846:Vulvar Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000634:Aminoquinolines; D000077271:Imiquimod