ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effective role of HPV DNA typing by commercial probes and of i.m. interferon therapy in the management of HPV-related female genital lesions. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Perspective study in a second-level colposcopy service (Istituto Ostetrico-Ginecologico "L. Mangiagalli"--II Clinica Ostetrica-Ginecologica). 110 patients, age range 15-45 years, with cytologic and/or histologic diagnosis of HPV-related genital lesions: HPV DNA typing (commercial probes) of genital specimens was performed. Excluding CIN III or VIN III cases, patients were treated with i.m. interferon-beta therapy for 4 weeks and, in case of persistence, for other 4 weeks. A colposcopic, cytologic and histologic follow-up for 6 months after therapy was performed. HPV DNA typing was repeated only in case of positive hybridization before therapy. RESULTS: In 81 cases, diagnosis of low-grade intraepithelial genital lesion (LSIL) was done, while 29 were high-grade intraepithelial genital lesions (HSIL). 73 patients completed the study. 3 months after interferon-beta i.m. administration, we observed complete remission in 72.97% of LSILs and in 47.36% of HSILs, while, 6 months after, remissions were observed in 81.25% of LSILs and in 73.33% of HSILs. Anyhow, treatment was well tolerated. HPV DNA typing confirmed the clinical course of lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Because of difficulties to standardize techniques, we believe that HPV DNA typing cannot assume a clinical or prognostic value, but only an experimental one. Interferon-beta i.m. administration could be considered a valid alternative or support to physical therapy as treatment of HPV-related genital lesions.
