Laser Treatment of Genito-urinary Syndrome in Women

Laser Treatment of Genito-urinary Syndrome in Women With Breast and Endometrial Cancer and Menopausal Women

Women with genitourinary syndrome of menopause, overactive bladder, with breast or endometrial cancer are randomized to either laser treatment og sham treatment for 3 months. The randomization is stratified for estrogen treatment. The effect is evaluated by questionnaire, histology and microbiology swaps

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Breast Cancer; Menopause; Vaginal Atrophy; Endometrial Cancer; Bladder, Overactive; Laser-Induced Scar
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: Vaginal laser treatment; Device: laser system; Device: sham

Detailed Description

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is characterized by symptoms such as vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, irritation, urinary incontinence, overactive bladder , and urinary tract infections. GSM replaces the previous term vulvovaginal atrophy as agreed upon by a joint terminology conference sponsored by the North American Menopause Society and the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health. GSM is a new terminology more accurate than the terms of VVA/atrophic vaginitis, because it describes the clinical signs and symptoms of the vulva, vagina and lower urinary system. In contrast, VVA/atrophic vaginitis describes the appearance of the vulvovaginal structures only. The GSM has a prevalence of more or less 50%, depending on country of origin, with a negative impact on sexuality, quality of life and well-being.

The aging process is genetically determined and environmentally modulated. Estrogen deficiency occurring after menopause causes a series of modifications in many different areas of the female body, including the pelvic floor. Menopause can, therefore, lead to functional genital or urinary symptoms impacting women's quality of life. It is debatable to which extent modifications and symptoms occurring after menopause are related to estrogen deficiency or to the aging process per se. Vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) involves histological, morphological, microbiological, and clinical changes. These include alteration in collagens, decreased quantity of elastic fibers, reduced vascularization, thinning and flattening of the vaginal epithelium, and production of glycogen, an essential factor for the growth of vaginal lactobacilli. As a consequence, the vaginal canal becomes shorter and narrower, and the vaginal epithelium becomes paler and more likely to develop petechiae. Further, a decrease in Lactobacillus species and a rise of vaginal pH values over 4.5 are observed, resulting in the loss of the local vaginal defense mechanisms against bacterial pathogens, which may predispose to local inflammation and/or infections.

Women with VVA commonly complain of vaginal dryness, burning, irritation or itching, and dyspareunia. Local estrogens represent the first-line therapy for VVA. However, women's compliance with and preference for this treatment are poor; alternatives and palliative solutions, such as moisturizing or lubricant local creams or gels, are commonly proposed. In recent years, fractional CO 2 laser has become a popular, efficient, precise, and safe system, particularly for dermatologists and plastic surgeons. CO 2 laser has many applications, including treatment of skin lesions (ie, seborrheic keratosis, syringomas, and xanthelasmas around the eye), warts, and toenail diseases, as well as anti-aging function.

Various therapeutic strategies, hormonal or not, oral or local, have been proposed for the improvement of the vaginal microecosystem of postmenopausal women (e.g. estrogens, probiotics, combination of vaginal estrogens with live Lactobacillus). Hormonal therapy (oral or local) has been associated with a healthier vaginal microecosystem by repopulating the Lactobacillus species to a premenopausal status and by reducing the pH of vaginal fluid.

In women treated for estrogen dependent cancer i.e. endometrial and breast cancer women and practioners are reluctant to use estrogens and favor non-hormonal treatment modalities. The effect of these on the histological, microbiological and clinical symptoms is poorly understood and lack randomized trials to evaluate effect. Several proof of concept and feasibility studies have shown clinical effects of laser as potential treatment but little is known if it can stand alone or if supplementation with estrogens may benefit the clinical symptoms and vulvovaginal environment further. Thus, the ideal management for the achievement of the optimal benefit - risk balance is still under investigation. The choice of treatment is often guided by clinical experience and patient preference.

In postmenopausal women, the disturbance of Lactobacillary flora was correlated with the presence of Gardnerella vaginalis, Trichomonas vaginalis, enterococci, group B streptococci, and Escherichia coli. Available data indicate that pre-existing vaginal colonization with pathogenic enterobacteria is essential for the appearance and recurrence of urinary tract infections (UTIs). Indeed, postmenopausal women are prone to UTIs with an incidence of about 8% per year and a 4% likelihood of recurrence, while symptomatic bacteriuria was estimated in up to 15% of women. The general population of lactobacilli, as assessed in the routine practice, provides indirect information regarding the estrogenic status. To our knowledge there is currently no evidence regarding the potential impact that the intravaginal laser therapy may have on the vaginal microenvironment in women with symptoms of GSM.

Laser treatment improves significantly the VVA symptoms, sexual function and quality of life of postmenopausal women, as well as the vaginal health index. Other studies found restored thickness of the squamous stratified epithelium of the vaginal mucosa with a significant storage of glycogen in the epithelial cells and remodelling the vaginal connective tissue with the production of new collagen and ground substance molecules.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in Denmark, annually ca. 4600 women are diagnosed with the disease, of whom 30% are under the age of 55. Most patients undergo breast conserving surgery followed by adjuvant therapy. Adjuvant therapy varies according to stage of disease, but radiotherapy is often added, as well as chemotherapy. If the cancer is hormonally responsive, long term antihormonal treatment is also given, such as the selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) tamoxifen for pre-menopausal women, that works as a inhibitor of estrogen in breast tissue, but as an estrogen in other tissues such as the endometrium. Post-menopausal women with hormone responsive breast cancer are treated with aromatase inhibitors for five years. Most side effects associated with tamoxifen (TAM) and aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are related to estrogen deprivation, and the symptoms are similar to those experienced during natural menopause. It has been reported that up to 50-75% of breast cancer survivors experience one or more genitourinary symptoms and puts the sexual life of women under stress. Postmenopausal women may have many common age-related symptoms but also have the above mentioned iatrogenic factors entering their lives to aggravate the symptom complex.

The aim of the current study was to assess the effect of laser laser therapy with and without local estrogens. The study groups consist of 1) postmenopausal women and 2 ) women treated for breast cancer. The laser treatment was given randomized to these women. The effects were evaluated in the histopathology of the vagina, the vaginal microenvironment, and health related questionnaires.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 160
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Finn F Lauszus, MD, PhD; Phone Number: +45 79972192; Email: finn.lauszus@rsyd.dk

Study Locations

• Denmark
  • Herning, Denmark, 7400
    • Gynecology Dept. Herning Hospital
    • Contact: Finn F Lauszus, MD, PhD; Phone Number: +4579972192; Email: finln.lauszus@rsyd.dk
    • Principal Investigator: Sine Jakobsen, MD

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: Female

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• menopause i.e. age more than 50 years and absence of menstruation for twelve months
• breast cancer
• endometrial cancer
• symptoms of vaginal dryness
• dyspareunia rated as moderate or severe most bothersome symptoms

Exclusion Criteria:

• use of vaginal moisturizers, lubricants or any other local preparation within the thirty days prior to inclusion
• acute or recurrent urinary tract infections
• active genital infections i.e. herpes genitalis, candida
• previous reconstructive pelvic surgery
• pelvis organ prolapse stage 2
• any serious disease or chronic condition that could interfere with study compliance except from breast and endometrial cancer
• psychiatric disorders precluding informed consent

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

8

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Menopausal Laser; 20 women with vaginal laser treatment	Procedure: Vaginal laser treatment; Fractional CO 2 laser system (SmartXide 2 V 2 LR,DEKA, Florence, Italy), using the following setting: dot power 30 watt, dwell time 1000 μ s, dot spacing 1000 μ m and the smart stack parameter from 1 to 3. The laser beam is provided using a vaginal probe, which is gently inserted up to the top of the vaginal canal and subsequently withdrawn and rotated in order to provide a complete treatment of the vaginal wall. At the level of the vaginal introitus, the dot power is decreased to 20 watt 27 . A treatment cycle includes three laser applications (every 4 weeks). The procedure is performed in the outpatient clinic and does not require any specific preparation (e.g. analgesia/anesthesia).; Device: laser system; FractionalCO 2 laser system (SmartXide 2 V 2 LR,DEKA, Florence, Italy), using the following setting: dot power 30 watt, dwell time 1000 μ s, dot spacing 1000 μ m and the smart stack parameter from 1 to 3. The laser beam is provided using a vaginal probe, which is gently inserted up to the top of the vaginal canal and subsequently withdrawn and rotated in order to provide a complete treatment of the vaginal wall. At the level of the vaginal introitus, the dot power is decreased to 20 watt 27 . A treatment cycle includes three laser applications (every 4 weeks). The procedure is performed in the outpatient clinic and does not require any specific preparation (e.g. analgesia/anesthesia).
Sham Comparator: Menopausal sham; 20 women with probe, no active laser ray	Device: sham; Fractional CO 2 laser system (SmartXide 2 V 2 LR,DEKA, Florence, Italy), using the following setting: dot power 30 watt, dwell time 1000 μ s, dot spacing 1000 μ m and the smart stack parameter from 1 to 3. The laser beam is provided using a vaginal probe, which is gently inserted up to the top of the vaginal canal and subsequently withdrawn and rotated in order to provide a complete treatment of the vaginal wall. At the level of the vaginal introitus, the dot power is decreased to 20 watt 27 . A treatment cycle includes three laser applications (every 4 weeks). The procedure is performed in the outpatient clinic and does not require any specific preparation (e.g. analgesia/anesthesia).
Active Comparator: breast cancer laser; 20 women with breast cancer with vaginal laser treatment	Procedure: Vaginal laser treatment; Fractional CO 2 laser system (SmartXide 2 V 2 LR,DEKA, Florence, Italy), using the following setting: dot power 30 watt, dwell time 1000 μ s, dot spacing 1000 μ m and the smart stack parameter from 1 to 3. The laser beam is provided using a vaginal probe, which is gently inserted up to the top of the vaginal canal and subsequently withdrawn and rotated in order to provide a complete treatment of the vaginal wall. At the level of the vaginal introitus, the dot power is decreased to 20 watt 27 . A treatment cycle includes three laser applications (every 4 weeks). The procedure is performed in the outpatient clinic and does not require any specific preparation (e.g. analgesia/anesthesia).; Device: laser system; FractionalCO 2 laser system (SmartXide 2 V 2 LR,DEKA, Florence, Italy), using the following setting: dot power 30 watt, dwell time 1000 μ s, dot spacing 1000 μ m and the smart stack parameter from 1 to 3. The laser beam is provided using a vaginal probe, which is gently inserted up to the top of the vaginal canal and subsequently withdrawn and rotated in order to provide a complete treatment of the vaginal wall. At the level of the vaginal introitus, the dot power is decreased to 20 watt 27 . A treatment cycle includes three laser applications (every 4 weeks). The procedure is performed in the outpatient clinic and does not require any specific preparation (e.g. analgesia/anesthesia).
Sham Comparator: breast cancer sham; 20 women with breast cancer with vaginal probe, no active laser rays	Device: sham; Fractional CO 2 laser system (SmartXide 2 V 2 LR,DEKA, Florence, Italy), using the following setting: dot power 30 watt, dwell time 1000 μ s, dot spacing 1000 μ m and the smart stack parameter from 1 to 3. The laser beam is provided using a vaginal probe, which is gently inserted up to the top of the vaginal canal and subsequently withdrawn and rotated in order to provide a complete treatment of the vaginal wall. At the level of the vaginal introitus, the dot power is decreased to 20 watt 27 . A treatment cycle includes three laser applications (every 4 weeks). The procedure is performed in the outpatient clinic and does not require any specific preparation (e.g. analgesia/anesthesia).
Active Comparator: endometrial cancer laser; 20 women with endometrial cancer with vaginal laser treatment	Procedure: Vaginal laser treatment; Fractional CO 2 laser system (SmartXide 2 V 2 LR,DEKA, Florence, Italy), using the following setting: dot power 30 watt, dwell time 1000 μ s, dot spacing 1000 μ m and the smart stack parameter from 1 to 3. The laser beam is provided using a vaginal probe, which is gently inserted up to the top of the vaginal canal and subsequently withdrawn and rotated in order to provide a complete treatment of the vaginal wall. At the level of the vaginal introitus, the dot power is decreased to 20 watt 27 . A treatment cycle includes three laser applications (every 4 weeks). The procedure is performed in the outpatient clinic and does not require any specific preparation (e.g. analgesia/anesthesia).; Device: laser system; FractionalCO 2 laser system (SmartXide 2 V 2 LR,DEKA, Florence, Italy), using the following setting: dot power 30 watt, dwell time 1000 μ s, dot spacing 1000 μ m and the smart stack parameter from 1 to 3. The laser beam is provided using a vaginal probe, which is gently inserted up to the top of the vaginal canal and subsequently withdrawn and rotated in order to provide a complete treatment of the vaginal wall. At the level of the vaginal introitus, the dot power is decreased to 20 watt 27 . A treatment cycle includes three laser applications (every 4 weeks). The procedure is performed in the outpatient clinic and does not require any specific preparation (e.g. analgesia/anesthesia).
Sham Comparator: endometrial cancer sham; 20 women with endometrial cancer with vaginal probe, no active laser rays	Device: sham; Fractional CO 2 laser system (SmartXide 2 V 2 LR,DEKA, Florence, Italy), using the following setting: dot power 30 watt, dwell time 1000 μ s, dot spacing 1000 μ m and the smart stack parameter from 1 to 3. The laser beam is provided using a vaginal probe, which is gently inserted up to the top of the vaginal canal and subsequently withdrawn and rotated in order to provide a complete treatment of the vaginal wall. At the level of the vaginal introitus, the dot power is decreased to 20 watt 27 . A treatment cycle includes three laser applications (every 4 weeks). The procedure is performed in the outpatient clinic and does not require any specific preparation (e.g. analgesia/anesthesia).
Active Comparator: overactive bladder laser; 20 women with overactive bladder with vaginal laser treatment	Procedure: Vaginal laser treatment; Fractional CO 2 laser system (SmartXide 2 V 2 LR,DEKA, Florence, Italy), using the following setting: dot power 30 watt, dwell time 1000 μ s, dot spacing 1000 μ m and the smart stack parameter from 1 to 3. The laser beam is provided using a vaginal probe, which is gently inserted up to the top of the vaginal canal and subsequently withdrawn and rotated in order to provide a complete treatment of the vaginal wall. At the level of the vaginal introitus, the dot power is decreased to 20 watt 27 . A treatment cycle includes three laser applications (every 4 weeks). The procedure is performed in the outpatient clinic and does not require any specific preparation (e.g. analgesia/anesthesia).; Device: laser system; FractionalCO 2 laser system (SmartXide 2 V 2 LR,DEKA, Florence, Italy), using the following setting: dot power 30 watt, dwell time 1000 μ s, dot spacing 1000 μ m and the smart stack parameter from 1 to 3. The laser beam is provided using a vaginal probe, which is gently inserted up to the top of the vaginal canal and subsequently withdrawn and rotated in order to provide a complete treatment of the vaginal wall. At the level of the vaginal introitus, the dot power is decreased to 20 watt 27 . A treatment cycle includes three laser applications (every 4 weeks). The procedure is performed in the outpatient clinic and does not require any specific preparation (e.g. analgesia/anesthesia).
Sham Comparator: Overactive bladder sham; 20 women with overactive bladder with vaginal probe, no active laser rays	Device: sham; Fractional CO 2 laser system (SmartXide 2 V 2 LR,DEKA, Florence, Italy), using the following setting: dot power 30 watt, dwell time 1000 μ s, dot spacing 1000 μ m and the smart stack parameter from 1 to 3. The laser beam is provided using a vaginal probe, which is gently inserted up to the top of the vaginal canal and subsequently withdrawn and rotated in order to provide a complete treatment of the vaginal wall. At the level of the vaginal introitus, the dot power is decreased to 20 watt 27 . A treatment cycle includes three laser applications (every 4 weeks). The procedure is performed in the outpatient clinic and does not require any specific preparation (e.g. analgesia/anesthesia).

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Visual analogue score on vaginal symptoms	10-cm VAS to measure the overall satisfaction with vaginal symptoms, where the left extreme of the scale indicated ' the worst level of satisfaction ' and the right indicated ' the best level of satisfaction	three months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
histopathology	Qualitative analysis of the microscopic and ultrastructural aspects of the collagenic and elastic components of the matrix is performed. A specific image analysis with computerized morphometry is performed to demonstrate the specific action of CO2 laser and possibly to correlate the modifications of the ultrastructural pattern with specific molecular modifications. We also consider the fine cytological aspects of connective tissue proper cells, particularly fibroblasts, under the conditions of the specific laser stimulation.	three months
microbiology	a sterile swab is inserted into the vaginal canal and a sample obtained from the posterior fornix of the vagina. Vaginal samples are placed in a transport gel (Stuart). pH indicator strips (MColorpHastTM, Merck, Germany) are applied against the lateral vaginal wall using sterile forceps, followed by a vaginal lavage for wet mount. Smears from vaginal samples are placed on a glass slide, observed under microscope for Trichomonas vaginalis and Candida species and stained afterwards according to standard Gram stain procedure. Cultures for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria species are performed, using MacConkey agar, blood agar, Sabouraud dextrose agar, chocolate agar as culture media, focusing on bacteria with potential clinical impact (e.g. aerobic vaginitis39, UTIs, vaginal candidiasis).	three months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Herning Hospital
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Sine Jakobsen, MD, PhD, Randers Regional Hospital; Study Chair: Finn F Lauszus, Herning Hopsital

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Salvatore S, Leone Roberti Maggiore U, Athanasiou S, Origoni M, Candiani M, Calligaro A, Zerbinati N. Histological study on the effects of microablative fractional CO2 laser on atrophic vaginal tissue: an ex vivo study. Menopause. 2015 Aug;22(8):845-9. doi: 10.1097/GME.0000000000000401.
• Salvatore S, Nappi RE, Parma M, Chionna R, Lagona F, Zerbinati N, Ferrero S, Origoni M, Candiani M, Leone Roberti Maggiore U. Sexual function after fractional microablative CO(2) laser in women with vulvovaginal atrophy. Climacteric. 2015 Apr;18(2):219-25. doi: 10.3109/13697137.2014.975197. Epub 2014 Dec 16.
• Athanasiou S, Pitsouni E, Antonopoulou S, Zacharakis D, Salvatore S, Falagas ME, Grigoriadis T. The effect of microablative fractional CO2 laser on vaginal flora of postmenopausal women. Climacteric. 2016 Oct;19(5):512-8. doi: 10.1080/13697137.2016.1212006. Epub 2016 Aug 24.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Anticipated): October 1, 2022
• Primary Completion (Anticipated): December 31, 2025
• Study Completion (Anticipated): December 31, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: August 1, 2017
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 2, 2017
• First Posted (Actual): August 3, 2017

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 16, 2022
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 15, 2022
• Last Verified: March 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: laser treatment, randomized trial, menopause, vaginitis, urge
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Neoplasms; Urogenital Neoplasms; Neoplasms by Site; Urologic Diseases; Urinary Bladder Diseases; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms; Urological Manifestations; Uterine Neoplasms; Genital Neoplasms, Female; Uterine Diseases; Urinary Bladder, Overactive; Endometrial Neoplasms
• Other Study ID Numbers: Laser treatment

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: No

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No