Cryotherapy vs. LEEP to Treat Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN) 2/3 Among HIV-positive Women (PHE-LEEP)

Impact of Cryotherapy Versus Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP) on Recurrence of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia and HIV-1 Cervical Shedding Among HIV-positive Women

The purpose of this study is to compare the rate of recurrence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia among HIV-positive women receiving cryotherapy versus LEEP over 2 years of follow-up and to compare the shedding of HIV-1 from the cervix between HIV-positive women receiving cryotherapy versus LEEP over 3 weeks of follow-up.

The recent scale-up of antiretroviral treatment programs in resource-limited settings provides an unprecedented opportunity to implement a comprehensive cervical cancer screening and treatment program for women who, by virtue of having HIV, are at significant risk for cervical disease. Unfortunately, even if screening is offered free of charge to millions of women living with HIV, it is unclear which treatment modality for pre-cancerous cervical lesions will be most effective since HIV appears to affect outcomes of treatment by increasing the recurrence and severity of cervical disease. Cervical treatment may also increase shedding of HIV from the cervix which may put discordant couples at risk and possibly spread HIV more widely. This study proposes to randomize HIV-positive women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 and 3 (CIN 2 and 3) to cryotherapy vs. loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) and measure the recurrence of cervical disease in each group over 2-years of follow-up as well as HIV shedding from the cervix for 6 weeks after treatment. Our hypothesis is that compared to cryotherapy, LEEP is significantly more likely to prevent recurrence of cervical lesions over 2 years of follow-up and less likely to cause shedding of HIV-1 from the cervix over 3 weeks of follow-up.

Cryotherapy procedure involves using a cryoprobe and carbon dioxide or nitrous oxide gas to freeze the diseased part of the cervix

Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP) uses a low-voltage electrified wire loop to cut out diseased part of cervix

Cryotherapy procedure involves using a cryoprobe and carbon dioxide or nitrous oxide gas to freeze the diseased part of the cervix

Rate of recurrence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia among HIV-positive women receiving cryotherapy versus LEEP over 2 years of follow-up

Shedding of HIV-1 from the cervix between HIV-positive women receiving cryotherapy versus LEEP between baseline and weeks 1, 2, and 3 of follow-up

Inclusion Criteria: HIV positive receiving care at the Coptic Hope Center Not pregnant by clinical examination or history Have an intact cervix Have not received prior cervical treatment Do not have a history of a bleeding disorder Are above 18 years of age Exclusion Criteria: HIV-negative Male Below 18 years of age Pregnant by clinical examination or history Post-hysterectomy Post-cervical cancer treatment.

Chung MH, De Vuyst H, Greene SA, Mugo NR, Querec TD, Nyongesa-Malava E, Cagle A, Sakr SR, Luchters S, Temmerman M, Unger ER, McGrath CJ. Human Papillomavirus Persistence and Association With Recurrent Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia After Cryotherapy vs Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure Among HIV-Positive Women: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Oncol. 2021 Oct 1;7(10):1514-1520. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2021.2683.

Greene SA, De Vuyst H, John-Stewart GC, Richardson BA, McGrath CJ, Marson KG, Trinh TT, Yatich N, Kiptinness C, Cagle A, Nyongesa-Malava E, Sakr SR, Mugo NR, Chung MH. Effect of Cryotherapy vs Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure on Cervical Disease Recurrence Among Women With HIV and High-Grade Cervical Lesions in Kenya: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2019 Oct 22;322(16):1570-1579. doi: 10.1001/jama.2019.14969.

Greene SA, McGrath CJ, Lehman DA, Marson KG, Trinh TT, Yatich N, Nyongesa-Malava E, Kiptinness C, Richardson BA, John-Stewart GC, De Vuyst H, Sakr SR, Mugo NR, Chung MH. Increased Cervical Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) RNA Shedding Among HIV-Infected Women Randomized to Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure Compared to Cryotherapy for Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia 2/3. Clin Infect Dis. 2018 May 17;66(11):1778-1784. doi: 10.1093/cid/cix1096.