A Randomized Phase III Trial of Oral Isotretinoin Versus Observation for Low-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions in HIV-Infected Women

Cervical neoplasia is frequently seen in HIV-infected women, apparently resulting from immunosuppression and common risk factors, including sexual behavior patterns. In HIV seronegative women, progression of preinvasive neoplasia is relatively slow, and up to 40 percent of low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (grade I CIN/HPV-associated changes) regress to a normal appearance over time. Many clinicians have opted not to treat CIN I/HPV-associated changes due to this high spontaneous regression rate. Currently, retinoids, principally isotretinoin, are the most consistently effective medical therapy for CIN/HPV-associated changes, but use of isotretinoin in HIV-infected patients has not been extensively documented. (AS PER AMENDMENT 6/10/97)

Patients are randomized to receive oral isotretinoin for 6 months or be observed only for 6 months, with 12 additional months of follow-up. [AS PER AMENDMENT 7/23/99: Follow-up time has been decreased to 9 months from the last patient enrolled.]