Photodynamic Therapy in Vulvar Dystrophy Treatment

1. Introduction

In recent years there has been an increase in the number of vulvar dystrophic diseases (VDDs), making from 0.6% up to 6% of all cases in the gynecological incidence [1, 2]. This pathology, united by the term neurodystrophic diseases, includes sclerotic lichen (kraurosis), vulvar squamous cell hyperplasia (leukoplakia, vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN)) and other dermatoses [3].

Vulvar leukoplakia is the main manifestation of squamous cell hyperplasia, which is a VDD characterized by lesion of stratified squamous noncornified (nonkeratinized) epithelium. Epidemiological structure of benign lesions of the vulva is subdivided into squamous cell hyperplasia (53.3%), sclerotic lichens (25.3%), and their aggregation (27.4% of all cases). According to Judson P.L. et al., the incidence rate of VIN between 1973 and 2000 increased by 411% from 0.56 to 2.86 cases per 100000 women [4].

The urgency of the problem is largely associated with the high risk of carcinomatous degeneration developed in connection with this gynecological pathology: in 9% of cases of kraurosis, 5%-20% of VINs, 5%-31.2% of cases when these two processes are combined [5]. Welsher L.Z. et al. report that vulvar malignant pathology occurs in 20%-60% of patients suffering from dystrophic diseases of this localization [6].

2. Key Methods of Treatment

The problem of vulvar precancerous diseases treatment remains urgent also due to the insufficient efficacy of existing treatment methods, disease duration, severity of its course and the likelihood of malignancy [7].

Surgical removal is the major treatment method for the patients having VDDs (lesions excision and vulvectomy in cases of morbidity). The main advantage of this method is the possibility of removing all clinically detected lesions with histological verification and risk of malignancy calculation [8, 9, 10]. Surgical treatment, despite its higher efficacy in comparison with other methods, is characterized by trauma, high relative frequency of postoperative complications, unsatisfactory cosmetic and functional results. The frequency (rate) of local relapses also remains relatively high (up to 30%-46%) [11, 12].

At the same time, in order to preserve the integrity of the vulvar ring and to achieve good cosmetic results, non-surgical methods of treatment remain priority for the patients in their thirties and younger. The main non-surgical methods of treatment are high-intensity laser radiation, laser CO2 coagulation and vaporization of vulva areas with radiation intensity of more than 1000 W/cm2 [11, 13, 14, 16, 17]. The main disadvantages of laser coagulation and vaporization are high traumatism and recurrence rate (from 17.5% up to 48.3% at long-term follow-up) and the inability to eradicate human papillomavirus. While laser coagulation removes the affected vulvar tissue, etiopathogenetic mechanisms of the disease remain unaffected, which causes development of local relapses in the early periods after treatment.

Imiquimod, being an immunomodifier, has certain therapeutic potential [18, 19] with the frequency of local relapses exceeding 40% [20, 21]. Use of 5-fluorouracil application forms in the treatment of VINs is characterized by low rate of total (complete) regressions (TRs) (34%) and the development of adverse reactions (grade I-II burns, painful sores) [22].

A prospective area of -research is the use of high-intensity focused ultrasound. Thus, Jia Y. et al. report safety of its use, high rate of histologically confirmed TRs (88.9%), absence of clinical symptoms of the disease and malignancy within 6-month term [23].

The main reasons for the search of new methods in VDDs treatment are frequent recurrence of the process, long and persistent course of the disease, unreasonable and inefficient use of medicines, which leads to the development of various psychosomatic disorders in patients that adversely affect the body state as a whole and cause degradation of the women’s quality of life [2, 17]. The existing conservative methods of treatment while reducing the main symptom λ itching of the external genitalia λ do not provide complete elimination of local morphological manifestations of the disease, nor give long-term remissions, at the same time require long course of treatment. In addition, lengthy conservative therapy does not prevent malignancy of the disease.

2.1 Photodynamic Therapy With 5-Aminolevulinic Acid
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is one of the most promising areas in the treatment of VDDs. The use of PDT in gynecology began with treatment of vesical cervix malignant neoplasms [24, 25, 26, 27].

Photodynamic therapy is also indicated as an alternative organ-preserving method in the treatment of precancerous vulvar diseases. This method of treatment is based on the use of a special substance λ a photosensitizer (PS), cytotoxicity of which multiplies when exposed to specific wavelength laser irradiation. The result of photoirradiation (PI) of the pre-sensitized tissue is apoptosis, autophagy and ischemic necrosis of the irradiated tissue area [28, 29].

Photodynamic therapy with the use of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) and chlorine derivatives with their local administration have been described as VDDs treatment methods [30, 31, 32, 33, 34]. However, with external use of PS, the efficacy of treatment is low compared to traditional methods (no effect is observed in 25%-30% of cases) [35].

Most of the published clinical studies conducted abroad, confirming the efficacy of PDT, include the use of 5-ALA application form as PS. Major results of the studies are presented in Table 1.

Table 1: Clinical studies confirming the efficacy of PDT, include the use of 5-ALA application form as PS.

2.2 Photodynamic Therapy With Chlorine-Based Photosensitizers
In the CIS countries, in addition to derivatives of 5-ALA, radachlorine, photoditazine and a number of other chlorine e6 derivatives are often applied. Otdelnova O.B. et al. presented the results of treatment of 6 patients with benign vulvar diseases (4 with sclerotic vulvar lichen and 2 with squamous vulvar hyperplasia). PDT was performed using photoditazine PS in combination of intravenous administration at a dose of 1 mg/Kg and application on the affected area of 1 ml of 0.5% penetration gel of the preparation. PI was carried out with a semiconducting Atcus-2 laser under local anesthesia with a 2% lidocaine solution in ED 100-200 J/cm2 for 10-30 minutes. The efficacy was estimated on the basis of unbiased examination and presence of clinical symptoms of the disease (itching). After 3 months of observation, the therapeutic effect remained. Three out of four patients with sclerotic lichen noticed absence of itching, and cytological examination of scrapings and vulvoscopy indicated complete cure of all patients with squamous cell hyperplasia. Good cosmetic result was recorded in all the cases. At the same time, all patients had a side effect of treatment in the form of moderately and strongly expressed pain syndrome during PI which limited the use of an adequate therapeutic dose of irradiation to the lesions [35].

The same authors demonstrated the efficacy of PDT in a patient with sclerotic vulvar lichen in combination with a papillomavirus infection. The patient underwent a radio wave removal of the vulvar papilloma and a photo irradiation of the affected area. Photoditazine in the form of intravenous solution was used as PS at the dose of 1 mg/kg of body weight. PI of the vulva was administered 2 hours after the infusion of the preparation with the help of Atcus-2 diode laser device (λ = 662 nm) in the fractional regime in ED 100-250 J/cm2. The authors report that in the course of the treatment, a good clinical effect and elimination of the human papilloma virus have been achieved [33].

Ivanova L.V. et al. presented the results of treatment of 4 patients with vulvar dysplasia I-II degree using PDT method with radachlorine (0.35% solution) in the form of intravenous drip infusion and 1% introvaginal gel. Two hours after the administration of the preparation, the mucosal PI was performed using Atcus-2 laser (2W, 300-600 mW/cm2, 360 J/cm2). The number of irradiation fields varied depending on the prevalence of the pathological process. The procedure was carried out once. Two out of four patients with neoplasia of the vulva did not have any effect from the therapy, partial epithelialization was observed with 1 patient and complete epithelialization was noticed with 1 patient. Based on the preliminary data obtained, the authors concluded that local use of PS is rather ineffective [42].

Makarov O.V. et al. examined and treated 97 patients with VDDs: 75 of them were diagnosed with sclerotic vulvar lichen (77.3%), 18 patients had squamous vulvar hyperplasia (18.6%), and 4 women showed mixed dystrophy (4.1%). PDT was performed with photoditazine PS (VETA GRAND, Russia). The 1st group consisted of 64 patients who received PS by intravenous drip at a dose of 1 mg/kg; group 2 included 33 patients who received PS locally by application of 0.5% penetration gel. PI was performed in a continuous or fractional mode (λ = 662 nm, 100-250 J/cm2, 2 mW). TR was noted in 58 (90.6%) of 64 patients of the 1st group within one year after the session and in 26 (78.8%) of 33 patients of the 2nd group. The number of relapses one year after the PDT session in the first group was 9.1%, in the second group it made up 22.6%. Additional session of PDT was required for 5 patients of the 2nd group having sclerotic lichen (20.8%) and 2 patients with squamous cell hyperplasia (28.6%), after which a clinical cure was diagnosed [43].

Ivanova L.V. et al. evaluated the efficacy of treatment of 18 patients having VDDs with the help of PDT and radachlorine λ one of the most widely used last generation PS (RADA PHARMA, Russia) in the form of gel λ 0.5% RadaGel with exposure time of 60 minutes. PI was carried out with a laser (2 W, λ = 662 nm, 250-300 J/cm2). All patients noted quality of life improvement, which was manifested by absence of itching in 16 of them (88.9%). During clinical examination the recovery of volume and natural coloration of large and small labia, improvement of elasticity, flexibility and trophism of tissues was noted [44].

Khashukoieva A.Z. et al. performed PDT with the use of photoditazine as PS at a dose of 1 mg/kg, 50 patients with VDDs were tested: sclerotic lichen was verified in 32 of them, 10 had squamous cell hyperplasia, and 8 had mixed dystrophy. PI was carried out in a continuous fractional mode in ED 100-250 J/cm2 (λ = 662 nm). Clinical regression was noted in 47 patients (94%). All sessions were accompanied by a slightly marked pain syndrome [45]. The same team of authors presents data on 82 patients with benign vulvar diseases treated with PDT: photoditazine was administered to 64 of them as intravenous drip at a dose of 1 mg/kg (group 1), 18 patients had an application of 0.5% penetration gel (group 2). PI was performed in continuous or fractional modes in ED 100-250 J/cm2. A positive therapeutic effect was achieved after 2 months in 100% of cases. Within 1 year the relapse rates for the first and the second groups were 10.7% and 21.4% respectively. The authors concluded that PDT with systemic administration of PS is an effective option in treatment of this pathology and has fewer side effects and complications [46].

Filonenko E.V. et al. described the case of the successful use of PDT for treatment of a patient with vulvar dysplasia (III degree) with intravenous administration of photolon PS at a dose of 1 mg/Kg of body weight. The PDT session was performed 3 hours after the administration of PS, ED λ 350 J/cm2. As a result of PDT, a TR of tumor was obtained. Within 8 months of follow-up observation, local recurrence of the disease was not detected [47].

2.3 Photodynamic Therapy With Other Types Of Photosensnitizers
Chulkova E.A. et al. examined and treated 90 patients with dystrophic and premalignant vulvar diseases using PDT method in combination with 20% Alasens ointment. The changes characteristic of the VIN I-III and cancer were observed with 27 of the patients in situ. The radiation power averaged 1.5 W in the spectral range λ = 630±10 nm. The authors noted that PDT with the application of 20% of Alasens ointment proved to be an effective and simple method, minimally and selectively injuring the vulva tissue, which is of great importance for young and middle-aged patients [48].

Rusakevich P.S. et al. in their publication presented detailed results of PDT with methylene blue in 115 patients with neurodystrophic vulvar diseases. The PDT method encompassed: laser device (joint domestic invention of the Institute of Physics, the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, AXICON Unitary Enterprise, the NAS of Belarus and LUZAR Production Company) with λ = 670±2 nm, power density of 150-300 mW/cm2, with the total manipulation time of 10 minutes for the entire target pathological area, in 5 sessions. A 1% solution of methylene blue, prepared on a 5% aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate, was applied as PS. The authors believe that the proposed method is characterized by high clinical efficacy due to the speed-up and normalization of metaplasia, probably due to pronounced (88.8%) anti-inflammatory effect. These parameters for the control group were 70.5%, respectively [34].

3. Discussion

VDD is a serious medical and social problem in patients of young and middle age. In recent years there has been an increase in the number of VDD, making from 0.6 up to 6% of all cases in the gynecological incidence [1, 2]. The urgency of the problem is largely associated with the high risk of carcinomatous degeneration developed in connection with this gynecological pathology: in 9% of cases of kraurosis, 5%-20% of VINs, 5%-31.2% of cases when these two processes are combined [5]. The traditional methods of treatment of this pathology are surgical intervention and non-surgical methods (high-intensity laser radiation, laser CO2 coagulation, vaporization with radiation intensity of more than 1000 W/cm2 of treatment, chemotherapy and immune-modulatory therapy). Despite the effectiveness of these methods, their main deficiency is the high incidence of local recurrence of the disease (from 17% to 48%) [8-22].

In connection with this fact, there is a need to search for new methods of treatment of this serious pathology. One such approach is PDT is a method as an alternative, organ-preserving for traditional. The results of the research demonstrated in this article testify to the high frequency of clinical and histological regressions, low frequency of local relapses.

In our opinion, the main indications for the use of PDT in the treatment of VDD are:
1. Histologically verified diagnosis
2. Primary, recurrent and residual pathological foci
3. Pathological foci of anatomically inconvenient localization
4. Pathological foci resistant to traditional methods of treatment
5. Patient’s refusal from surgery, chemotherapy and others
6. Multiple and extensive pathological foci lesions.

4. Conclusion

The results of the clinical use of the PDT method in combination with photolon PS in treatment of patients with background and precancerous vulvar diseases testify to its high therapeutic efficacy, few complications or side reactions and good cosmetic results. PDT is convenient in use, so it can be recommended for outpatient care for VDDs treatment and vulvar cancer prevention.

In conclusion, we can summarize that PDT has a number of advantages in comparison with traditional methods of treatment of VDD, such as:

1. Minimal toxicity for the surrounding normal tissues, due to the selective accumulation of the photosensitizer in the tumor
2. Absence of mechanisms of primary and acquired resistance
3. Possibility of an outpatient procedure
4. Possibility of combination with other methods of treatment
5. Possibility of repeated repetition of the procedure
6. Ease of use in the multiple nature of the lesion
7. Good cosmetic results
8. Possibility of implementing organ-preserving methods of treatment.

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