Clinical experience with topical tretinoin in the treatment of cervical dysplasia.

Dysplasia of the uterine cervix is a recognized preneoplastic condition. Because of the observed ability of retinoids to reverse other dysplastic conditions in vitro and in vivo, a number of clinical studies have been carried out of the effect of these agents on cervical dysplasia, with the object of developing a means of chemoprevention of cervical malignancies in women at risk. We have conducted phase I and II trials of topical tretinoin (retinoic acid and Retin-A) delivered by means of a cervical cap and inert collagen sponge system. The results of these studies warranted a phase III trial, which is now underway. The outcome of the latter investigation will have important implications, not only for the management of patients with cervical dysplasia but also for therapeutic approaches to other precancerous conditions.