Boosting the Body's Defenses Against High-Risk HPV
Understanding and Enhancing T-Cell Responses to High Risk Human Papillomaviruses-Renewal
This project is developing a new vaccine to help your body fight off high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infections that can lead to cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Little Rock, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11101138 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many cancers, including cervical and anal cancers, are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), and while current vaccines prevent new infections, they don't treat existing ones. This project is working on a new kind of vaccine, called PepCan, designed to help your immune system clear out high-risk HPV infections. PepCan uses specific parts of the HPV 16 virus along with a special ingredient to strengthen your body's natural defenses. Early results in women with cervical lesions have been promising, showing a decrease in the virus and a boost in protective immune cells. We are now testing this vaccine further in a larger group of patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients who have existing high-risk HPV infections, particularly HPV type 16, and associated precancerous lesions like cervical high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs), may be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have an existing HPV infection or who have already developed advanced HPV-related cancers may not directly benefit from this specific therapeutic vaccine approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this therapeutic vaccine could offer a new way to treat existing high-risk HPV infections and potentially prevent them from progressing to cancer.
How similar studies have performed: This approach is novel as it focuses on a therapeutic vaccine for existing infections, and early Phase I clinical trial results have shown promising safety and immune responses.
Where this research is happening
Little Rock, United States
- Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis — Little Rock, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nakagawa, Mayumi — Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis
- Study coordinator: Nakagawa, Mayumi
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.