A Scoping Review of Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Human Papillomavirus Infections and Cervical Dysplasia

Abstract

Objective The goal of this scoping review is to synthesize clinically relevant scientific literature on current complementary and alternative medications that address human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and cervical dysplasia. Materials and Methods A systematic search of published studies was performed December 2021 for the following concepts: human papilloma virus, cervical dysplasia, and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Relevant publications were identified by searching Ovid MEDLINE ALL, Embase, Cochrane Library, AMED, and MEDLINE databases, in addition to clinical trial databases. Data were extracted based on specific study selection criteria and analyzed by 3 authors independently using Covidence software. Results A total of 2324 studies were identified of which 56 met inclusion criteria. Treatment outcomes measured regression of HPV, improvement of cervical cytology, and/or regression of histopathology with varied definitions of success across all studies. The CAM therapies found to have the most clinical benefit and best supporting data via randomized control trials were topical mushroom (Coriolus versicolor) gel, oral and topical selenium therapies, and oral indol-3-carbinol. Adverse events were reported in only 28/56 (50%) of included studies. Conclusions The evidence for treating HPV and cervical dysplasia with CAM is of low quality because of lack of standardized, clinically relevant treatment outcomes, lack of standardization of products, and minimal reporting on adverse and long-term effects. Future large, randomized control trials are needed to further assess efficacy and safety of CAM therapies to address HPV and cervical dysplasia.