Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis is a chronic disease characterized by papillomatous growths of the airway predominantly affecting the larynx and trachea. The condition is generally caused by the low-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV), HPV6 and HPV11. Although there is no evidence-based treatment modality, surgery is considered the standard treatment. However, additional adjuvant pharmacological treatment is being used increasingly frequently due to the high tendency for disease recurrence, although most published clinical research studies are the results of small-scale retrospective studies. Among various available pharmacotherapies, this review focuses on the intralesional injection of cidofovir, HPV vaccination, and intralesional or systemic injection of bevacizumab.
