Successful treatment of anogenital Bowen's disease with the immunomodulator imiquimod, and monitoring of therapy by DNA image cytometry

Br J Dermatol. 2002 Jul;147(1):160-5. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2133.2002.04729.x.

Abstract

Imiquimod (Aldara, 3M) is an immune response modifier used for the treatment of anogenital warts. We report a 55-year-old non-immunocompromised woman with extensive, human papillomavirus (HPV) 16-positive anogenital Bowen's disease. After 5 months of local treatment with imiquimod, the lesions completely regressed clinically and histologically, and HPV 16 DNA was no longer detectable. Moreover, DNA image cytometry revealed DNA aneuploidy (an indicator of prospective malignancy) in pretreatment samples but not in post-treatment samples. Therefore, imiquimod might be a treatment option for Bowen's disease, particularly in patients where other treatment modalities such as surgery are contraindicated.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aminoquinolines / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Anus Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Anus Neoplasms / pathology
  • Bowen's Disease / drug therapy*
  • Bowen's Disease / pathology
  • Condylomata Acuminata / drug therapy*
  • Condylomata Acuminata / pathology
  • DNA, Viral / analysis
  • Drug Monitoring / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Image Cytometry / methods
  • Imiquimod
  • Interferon Inducers / therapeutic use*
  • Middle Aged
  • Papillomaviridae / isolation & purification
  • Skin Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • Vaginal Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Vaginal Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • Aminoquinolines
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • DNA, Viral
  • Interferon Inducers
  • Imiquimod