Problem description: Yearly, approximately 45000 women develop vulvar cancer worldwide. It is estimated that about 30% of all vulvar carcinomas are HPV related. As with other HPV related (pre)malignancies, the incidence has been rising over the past 20 years. The peak incidence of premalignant lesions of the vulva, also called Vulvar High Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion (vHSIL), lies between 35 and 40 years of age. Multiple treatments are available, including surgery, laser vaporization, and topical imiquimod, with comparable success rate. Despite treatment, at least 30% of women will develop a recurrence within 2 years, with a much higher lifetime risk of recurrence. This results in multiple treatments with sometimes disfiguring effects and associated negative psychosocial and psychosexual impact. Woman with vulvar HSIL have a lifelong increased risk of vulvar cancer, and approximately 10% of women with (treated) vulvar HSIL will develop vulvar cancer within 10 years of first diagnosis. The risk of malignancy is significantly higher in women with recurrent disease, compared to women without recurrence. Solution / research direction, To date, a successful strategy for reduction of recurrences of HSIL has not been established. The available positive evidence on the use of concurrent HPV vaccination in the treatment of vulvar HSIL is rising, yet insufficient to guide clinical practice. There is limited data that prophylactic HPV vaccination after treatment of vulvar HSIL reduces the chance of recurrence, therefore leading to a reduction in repeated (surgical) interventions. There are no randomised controlled studies supporting this data. Aim The aim of current project is to determine the effectiveness of nonavalent HPV vaccination versus placebo in preventing recurrence in women treated for vulvar HSIL. Plan of investigation This is a randomised, double blinded, placebo controlled trial in women treated for vulvar HSIL. Adult female patients, diagnosed with vulvar HSIL planned for treatment and no prior HPV vaccination will be included. Randomisation will be in a 1:1 ratio to additional nonavalent HPV vaccination versus additional placebo vaccination. Expected outcome. Based on previous non-randomised studies, a significant reduction in recurrences, improvement of quality of life and a reduction of economic burden of the disease is expected.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
500
After randomisation in the Gardasil arm, women will receive 3 Gardasil vaccinations 1. First injection: preferable at time of start treatment (imiquimod, lase or surgery). Window 4 weeks prior to treatment start (because surgical treatment can be postponed for logistical reasons) and 4 weeks after start treatment. 2. Second injection: should be administered at least 1 month after the first injection and 3 months before the third injection. 3. Third injection should be administered at 3 months after second injection. All injections should be administered within 1 year.
After randomisation in the PLacebo arm, women will receive 3 Placebo vaccination with NaCl 0.9% 1. First injection: preferable at time of start treatment (imiquimod, lase or surgery). Window 4 weeks prior to treatment start (because surgical treatment can be postponed for logistical reasons) and 4 weeks after start treatment. 2. Second injection: should be administered at least 1 month after the first injection and 3 months before the third injection. 3. Third injection should be administered at 3 months after second injection. All injections should be administered within 1 year.
Erasmus MC
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Does additional HPV vaccination reduce the recurrence of vHSIL compared to placebo?
Difference in number and percentage of patients with clinical recurrence rate of vulvar HSIL between HPV vaccination and placebo at 6 and 12 months
Time frame: 24 months after last inclusion
1. What is the effectiveness (complete remission) after treatment in vaccination versus placebo at 6 and 12 months?
1\. Difference in number and percentage of patients with clinical recurrence rate of vulvar HSIL between HPV vaccination and placebo at 6 and 12 months
Time frame: 6 and 12 months after last inclusion
2. What is the effectiveness (complete remission) after treatment in vaccination versus placebo at 6 and 12 months in primary episode vHSIL versus recurrence?
2\. Difference in number and percentage of patients with clinical recurrence rate of vulvar HSIL between HPV vaccination and placebo at 6 and 12 months for primary vHSIL versus recurrent vHSIL.
Time frame: 6 and 12 months after last inclusion
3. What is the effectiveness of adjuvant vaccination in different treatments of vHSIL (laser, imiquimod, excision) at 24 months?
3\. Difference in number and percentage of patients with clinical recurrence rate of vulvar HSIL between the different treatment modalities
Time frame: 24 months after last inclusion
4. How often is additional treatment for vHSIL needed in the study period? Is this different between the study groups?
4\. Difference in number and percentage for additional treatment necessary after primary treatment.
Time frame: 24 months after last inclusion
5. What is the effect of vaccination versus placebo on different HPV types (HPV type of primary and recurrence)?
5\. Description and percentage of different HPV types. Percentage clearance of primary HPV type for vaccination versus placebo.
Time frame: 24 months after last inclusion
6. What is the level of antibodies at baseline and after (placebo) vaccination?
6\. Number of antibodies and percentage of increase or decrease after vaccination compared to antibodies before vaccination. Is there correlation between number or percentage of recurrence. Is that different in primary versus recurrent episode vHSIL
Time frame: 24 months after last inclusion
7. Is the intervention cost effective?
7\. incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), described the difference in costs and budget impact analysis
Time frame: 24 months after last inclusion
8. Is Quality of life (measured with Euroqol 5D-5L questionnaire) improved after vaccination compared to placebo?
8.Description and change in numeric value and percentage in different score form questionnaires. Percentage increase of decrease QoL
Time frame: 24 months after last inclusion
8. Is sexual health (measured with Female Sexual Function Index, FSFI questionnaire) improved after vaccination compared to placebo?
8.Description and change in numeric value and percentage in different score form questionnaires. Percentage increase of decrease sexual impact
Time frame: 24 months after last inclusion
9. What is the effect of vaccination versus placebo on CIN/cervical cytology of the uterine cervix?
9\. Difference number and percentage in HPV types cervical cytology and vHSIL before and after vaccination.
Time frame: 24 months after last inclusion
10. Long-term follow-up: Is there a difference between vaccination and placebo group in number of recurrences of vHSIL (5 and 10 years) and the occurrence of vulvar malignancies (2, 5 and 10 years)?
10\. Difference in number and percentage in recurrence rate of vulvar HSIL and vulvar cancer between HPV vaccination and placebo. Other HPV related disease known?
Time frame: 5 and 10 year
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.