Research is underway to find new ways to prevent and treat cancer of the vulva. There are some promising new developments.

Oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes: Scientists are learning more about how certain genes called oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes control cell growth and how changes in these genes cause normal vulvar cells to become cancerous. The ultimate goal of this research is gene therapy. Gene therapy involves replacing the damaged genes in cancer cells with normal genes in order to stop the abnormal behavior of these cells.

HPV vaccines: Vaccines for preventing and treating vulvar and cervical cancer are being developed and tested.

Some of these vaccines are meant to prevent infection with certain types of HPV by boosting the body’s immunity to them. One HPV vaccine (Gardasil) is now available. Early studies of this vaccine have found that it is able to prevent infection with HPV types 16 and 18 (as well as 6 and 11) and prevent precancerous changes in the cervix. While it has not yet been studied, the hope is that the vaccine may eventually help prevent other cancers linked to HPV, including vulvar cancers. Other preventive vaccines are also under study.

Some vaccines being studied are intended for women with established HPV infections, to help their immune systems destroy the virus and cure the infection before a cancer develops.

Still other vaccines are meant to help women who already have a cancer that has recurred or metastasized. These vaccines attempt to produce an immune reaction to the parts of the virus (E6 and E7 proteins) that specifically contribute to the abnormal growth of cancer cells. It is hoped that this immunity will kill the cancer cells or stop them from growing.

Other prevention methods: Topical imiquimod is being studied for treatment of VIN.

Combining surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy: Clinical trials are underway to determine the best way to combine surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. For example, these trials will provide information about whether certain groups of patients benefit from radiation after surgery and whether patients with cancer that has spread to lymph nodes benefit from chemotherapy or pelvic radiation therapy. Last Revised: 06/21/2006