Inhaled cidofovir as an adjuvant therapy for recurrent respiratory papillomatosis

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2011 Apr;144(4):639-41. doi: 10.1177/0194599810395353. Epub 2011 Feb 4.

Abstract

A previously healthy, full-term, 4-month-old boy presented with progressively weakening cry, hoarseness, and increased work of breathing. Flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy revealed glottic papillomas, which were endoscopically removed with a microdebrider in the operating room (Derkay score 23). The patient was diagnosed with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis that disseminated throughout his airway. Despite biweekly serial microdebridements, intralesional cidofovir, and systemic interferon-α, the patient's health declined substantially (Derkay score 40), culminating in a 47-day hospitalization due to complications of his disease. Inhaled cidofovir was initiated after all conventional treatments had failed. Within 6 weeks of therapy (40 mg daily per treatment, 12 days on and 2 days off), the papillomatous disease improved substantially (Derkay score 23). While inhaled cidofovir appeared to significantly reduce papillomatous disease burden in this patient, further investigation into its long-term effectiveness and safety profile is necessary.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Inhalation
  • Aerosols
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Cidofovir
  • Cytosine / administration & dosage
  • Cytosine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Injections, Intralesional
  • Male
  • Off-Label Use*
  • Organophosphonates / administration & dosage*
  • Papillomavirus Infections / drug therapy
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / drug therapy

Substances

  • Aerosols
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Organophosphonates
  • Cytosine
  • Cidofovir

Supplementary concepts

  • Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis