NCT02615860

Efficacy and Safety of TCA vs. ECA for the Treatment of AIN in HIV-positive Patients

Efficacy and Safety of Topical Trichloroacetic Acid vs. Electrocautery for the Treatment of Anal Intraepithelial Neoplasia in HIV-positive Patients (TECAIN) - a Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 560 (actual)
• Sponsor: University Hospital, Essen · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Comparative evaluation of efficacy and safety of high-resolution anoscopy (HRA)-guided topical treatment (trichloroacetic acid, TCA) vs. surgical treatment (electrocautery, ECA) in HIV-positive patients for human papillomavirus (HPV)- induced AIN, an anal cancer precursor. The primary hypothesis is that cost-saving and simple TCA treatment is non-inferior to the current best option therapy with ECA. TCA treatment would also be possible in the normal setting of a doctor´s office without extensive specialization and without complex technical equipment.

Detailed description

Anal human papillomavirus (HPV)-infection and HPV-induced AIN, an anal cancer precursor, are very frequent in HIV-positive patients (HIV+), especially in men who have sex with men (MSM), but also in women. Consequently, HIV+ have a strongly increased risk for anal cancer. Screening for and treatment of AIN are recommended in HIV+, although only two RCT on AIN treatment have been published. We plan a multicenter, unblinded, non-inferiority RCT that evaluates the efficacy and safety of 2 high-resolution anoscopy (HRA)-guided treatment options for AIN: topical application of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and surgical treatment with electrocautery (ECA). ECA was the best option for intra-anal AIN in a recent randomized controlled trial (RCT). TCA, an inexpensive and established therapy for genital warts, has been evaluated for AIN only in a retrospective pilot study that showed clearance rates comparable to those found for ECA, with possibly less adverse events (AE). Our primary hypothesis is that cost-saving and simple TCA is non-inferior to ECA. 2800 HIV+ will be screened by HRA in 9 proctological centers and 560 HIV+ with histologically confirmed intra-anal AIN will be randomized (1:1) to receive up to 4 treatments with TCA or ECA within 12 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint is clinical (HRA) and histological resolution of AIN 4 weeks after the last treatment. Secondary endpoints comprise recurrence of AIN 24 weeks after end of therapy, the number of interventions, AE, and the influence of HPV parameters such as anal HPV-types, viral load and HPV-oncogene-mRNA.

Conditions

• Anal Intraepithelial Neoplasia (AIN) in HIV-infected Patients

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Topical 85% trichloroacetic acid (TCA)	In the experimental intervention arm, all visible lesions are treated with 85% TCA by dipping the wooden stick end of a cotton swab into a cup containing TCA. The stick end is saturated with TCA and is inserted through the anoscope and directed to the lesion under HRA guidance. TCA is applied to the lesion repeatedly until the lesion changes to a dense white colour. Each TCA application session is followed by another appointment four weeks later, where the clinician re-evaluates the lesions of the patient and determines whether a next TCA application is necessary up to a maximum of four times
PROCEDURE	Surgical electrocautery (ECA)	In the control arm, HRA-guided ECA, is performed every 4 weeks up to a maximum of four times. All visible lesions are ablated at every visit. Bleeding from small vessels can be stopped by ECA. Patients undergo local anaesthesia if necessary

Timeline

• Start date: 2015-11-01
• Primary completion: 2020-03-31
• Completion: 2021-12-31
• First posted: 2015-11-26
• Last updated: 2022-11-08

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Germany