Clinical Benefit of a Conservative Treatment for High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Lesions in Patients with HIV

Infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) shows a higher risk of infection by human papillomavirus (HPV). We aim to provide evidence about the effect of a Coriolus versicolor-based vaginal gel (Papilocare®) for treating HPV in women with HIV. Women ≥25 years coinfected by endocervical HPV and with low-grade abnormal cervicovaginal cytology were treated for 6 months with Papilocare in this observational, prospective, noncontrolled pilot study. Cytology, colposcopy, biopsy, hybrid capture test, and 5-point Likert scale were assessed to evaluate cervical lesions repair, HPV clearance, and changes in cervical reepithelization, respectively, at 6 months. Fifteen patients (25-54 years) were included. Overall HPV clearance and cytological normalization rates were 73.3% and 80.0%, respectively, and 55.6% of the abnormal colposcopies were normalized. Reepithelialization index improved in 66.7% of cases. Papilocare may be effective for managing endocervical HPV infection in patients living with HIV.