ISSN 0300-9092 (Print)
ISSN 2412-5679 (Online)

The use of hyaluronic acid in vulvovaginal atrophy in women after antitumor therapy

Mkrtchian L.S., Kukosh M.Yu., Bychkova A.E., Apolikhina I.A., Ivanov S.A., Kaprin A.D., Zamulaeva I.A.

1) A.F. Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Centre – branch of the National Medical Research Centre for Radiology, Ministry of Health of Russia, Obninsk, Russia; 2) Obninsk Institute for Nuclear Power Engineering, National Research Nuclear University, Moscow Engineering Physics Institute, Obninsk, Russia; 3) Patrice Lumumba Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, Moscow, Russia; 4) Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Centre for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, Moscow, Russia; 5) I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia; 6) P.A. Herzen Moscow Research Institute of Oncology – branch of the National Medical Research Centre for Radiology, Ministry of Health of Russia, Moscow, Russia; 7) National Medical Research Centre for Radiology, Ministry of Health of Russia, Obnibsk, Russia

Objective: To analyze the available literature on the use of hyaluronic acid in programs of non-hormonal correction of vulvovaginal disorders associated with antitumor treatment in cancer patients.
Materials and methods: The literature search was conducted in the electronic databases, namely PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect, Embase, PsycINFO using the keywords in Russian and English. The articles were published between 1914 and 2024. 
Results: The symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause have a long-term negative impact on the quality of life of women who underwent antitumor treatment. Currently, it is important to develop approaches to supportive and restorative therapy for women at risk of developing genitourinary syndrome of menopause. One of the effective methods for correcting this condition in women undergoing oncological rehabilitation is the use of intravaginal preparations containing hyaluronic acid. These preparations significantly reduce the symptoms of vulvovaginal atrophy with efficacy comparable to that of topical estrogens. Besides, they have high safety and do not cause side effects.
Conclusion: The analysis of the literature showed the potential for further research into the efficacy and safety of using hyaluronic acid to correct vulvovaginal changes in cancer patients after antitumor therapy, as well as for long-term follow-up. This research could help determine whether it should be included in the standard restorative treatment for these patients. Such an approach could improve the quality of life for this patient group and address a number of psychological and socio-economic issues.

Authors’ contributions: Mkrtchian L.S. – developing the idea of the article and the concept of the review, writing the text, scientific editing, approval of the final version of the article; Kukosh M.Yu. – collection and analysis of scientific material on clinical research, writing the text; Apolikhina I.A. – analysis of the material, scientific editing; Bychkova A.E. – work with literature, writing the text, preparing the manuscript for publication; Ivanov S.A., Kaprin A.D. – scientific review of the text; Zamulaeva I.A. – collection and analysis of scientific material on fundamental research, writing the text, scientific review.
Conflicts of interest: Authors declare lack of the possible conflicts of interest.
Funding: The study was conducted without sponsorship.
For citation: Mkrtchian L.S., Kukosh M.Yu., Bychkova A.E., Apolikhina I.A., Ivanov S.A., Kaprin A.D., Zamulaeva I.A. The use of hyaluronic acid in vulvovaginal atrophy in women after antitumor therapy.
Akusherstvo i Ginekologiya/Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2025; (8): 26-35 (in Russian)
https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2025.191

Keywords

hyaluronic acid
genitourinary syndrome of menopause
postovariectomy syndrome
vulvovaginal atrophy
cervical cancer
uterine body cancer
human papillomavirus (HPV)
CD44
radiation therapy
iatrogenic menopause
induced menopause
quality of life

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Received 15.07.2025

Accepted 13.08.2025

About the Authors

Liana S. Mkrtchian, Dr. Med. Sci., Head of the Department of Medical Rehabilitation and Rehabilitation Technologies, A.F. Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Centre – branch of the National Medical Research Center of Radiology, Ministry of Health of Russia; Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Obninsk Institute of Atomic Energy – branch of the National Research Nuclear University «MEPhI», 249036, Russia, Kaluga Region, Obninsk, Koroleva str., 4, liana6969@mail.ru,
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5027-5331
Marina Yu. Kukosh, PhD, Senior Researcher at the Department of Medical Rehabilitation and Rehabilitation Technologies, A.F. Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Centre – branch of the National Medical Research Center of Radiology, Ministry of Health of Russia; Associate Professor, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Medical Institute, P. Lumumba RUDN University, 249036, Russia, Kaluga Region, Obninsk, Koroleva str., 4, manja70@inbox.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6481-1724
Anastasia E. Bychkova, obstetrician-gynecologist, oncologist at the Department of Aesthetic Gynecology and Rehabilitation, V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia; PhD student, A.F. Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Centre – branch of the National Medical Research Center of Radiology, Ministry of Health of Russia, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Ac. Oparin str., 4, a_bychkova88@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4855-8188
Inna A. Apolikhina, Dr. Med. Sci., Professor, Head of the Department of Aesthetic Gynecology and Rehabilitation, V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Ac. Oparin str., 4; Professor, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, Perinatology and Reproductology, Institute of Vocational Education, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia (Sechenov University), 119048, Russia, Moscow, Trubetskaya str., 8, bld. 2, i_apolikhina@oparina4.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4581-6295
Sergey A. Ivanov, Dr. Med. Sci., Corresponding Member of the RAS, Director, A.F. Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Centre – branch of the National Medical Research Center of Radiology, Ministry of Health of Russia; Professor, Department of Oncology and Radiology named after V.P. Kharchenko of Medical Institute, P. Lumumba
RUDN University, 249036, Russia, Kaluga Region, Obninsk, Koroleva str., 4, oncourolog@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7689-6032
Andrey D. Kaprin, Dr. Med. Sci., Professor, Academician of the RAS, Academician of the Russian Academy of Education, Director, P. Hertsen Moscow Oncology Research Institute – branch of the National Medical Research Radiological Centre, Ministry of Health of Russia; Director General, National Medical Research Center of Radiology, Ministry of Health of Russia; Head of the Department of Oncology and Radiology named after V.P. Kharchenko of the Medical Institute, P. Lumumba RUDN University, 249036, Russia, Kaluga Region, Obninsk, Koroleva str., 4, kaprin@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8784-8415
Irina A. Zamulaeva, Dr. Sci. (Bio), Professor, Head of the Department of Radiation Biochemistry, A.F. Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Centre – branch of the National Medical Research Center of Radiology, Ministry of Health of Russia, 249036, Russia, Kaluga Region, Obninsk, Koroleva str., 4, zamulaeva@mail.ru,
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6136-8445
Corresponding author: Liana S. Mkrtchian, liana.mko@gmail.com

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