Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Phase 2 Interventional Ages 21 and up

Probiotics to Treat Anal HSIL in HIV Patients

Official title: Probiotics to Treat HSIL and Reduce Persistent High Risk HPV Infection in Women and Men Living With HIV

Run by University of California, San Francisco · NCT06949800 · Data updated 2026-11-12

In people with HIV who have anal HSIL, this study tests whether a probiotic called EXE-346 can help clear lesions or reduce progression, compared with placebo.

More HPV Positive Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma trials

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Ages21 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment90 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of California, San Francisco
Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, prednisone
Locations2 sites (San Francisco, California and 1 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedSeptember 4, 2026
Main results expectedOctober 31, 2027
Study endsMay 31, 2028
Registry record updatedOctober 29, 2026
Trial IDNCT06949800 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Adults with HIV, biopsy-proven anal HSIL, on stable ART with HIV RNA < 200 copies/mL, and adequate organ function.

Probably not a fit

Individuals without HSIL regression or with progression despite treatment may not experience benefit.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This is a phase 2 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating EXE-346 probiotic for treating anal HSIL in adults with HIV. Participants with biopsy-confirmed HSIL are randomized to receive EXE-346 or placebo for up to 12 weeks, with follow-up visits at 24 and 36 weeks. The study also collects microbiome data to explore potential links between microbiome changes and lesion regression, and allows standard care hyfrecation if HSIL persists at 36 weeks. Primary goals are lesion regression to no disease at 36 weeks and safety of EXE-346; secondary goals include regression to LSIL/normal, HPV clearance in anal swabs, and exploratory microbiome analyses.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, participants may experience regression of anal HSIL and reduced risk of progression to anal cancer.

How similar studies have gone: Prior studies in related HPV-associated lesions have shown signals of response with microbiome-targeted approaches, but this specific probiotic strategy is novel in this setting.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Signed informed consent
2. Biopsy-proven anal HSIL (men or women) at a screening visit for C2002, or clinic patients with known untreated HSIL diagnosed within the previous 3 months.

4\. At least one focus of anal HSIL must be large enough to be monitored for response, i.e.,not completely removed after the screening biopsy.

5\. Total volume of HSIL is less than 50% of the anal canal or perianal region. 6.Must be actively on treatment with effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimen for at least three months preceding enrollment (Visit 1, Day 1) at screening for C2002.

7.HIV RNA \<200 copies/ml at baseline. 9.Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status \<=1 (Karnofsky \>= 70%).

10\. Participants must meet the following laboratory parameters within 3 months before enrollment:

a. Leukocytes: ≥3,000/mm\^3. b. Absolute neutrophil count: ≥1,500/mm\^3. c. Platelets: ≥100,000/mm\^3. d. Elevation of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), or bilirubin \<=2 times the upper limit of normal.

11\. Not pregnant or breast feeding and one of the following:

1. Of non-childbearing potential (i.e. persons aged 60 years or older or who have had a hysterectomy or tubal ligation or are postmenopausal, as defined by no menses for at least 12 months and without an alternative medical cause).
2. Persons aged less than 60 years of childbearing potential and agree to practice highly effective contraception from initiation of taking EXE-346 or placebo through 14 days after taking the last dose of EXE-346 or placebo. Highly effective methods of contraception include one or more of the following:

i.Male partner who is sterile (medically effective vasectomy) prior to the female participant's entry into the study and is the sole sexual partner for the female participant.

ii.Hormonal (oral, intravaginal, transdermal, implantable or injectable); Progestogen-only hormonal contraceptives without inhibition of ovulation are not considered to be highly effective.

iii. An intrauterine hormone-releasing system. iv. An intrauterine device. v. Bilateral tubal occlusion or removal. vi. Sexual abstinence, only if the participant refrains from heterosexual intercourse from initiation taking EXE-346 or placebo through 14 days after taking the last dose of EXE-346 or placebo and it is the usual lifestyle of the participant.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. History of any anogenital cancer.
2. History of inflammatory bowel disease
3. Presence of untreated cervical HSIL or cervical cancer.
4. Anal HSIL on clinical examination or biopsy that clinicians are concerned for cancer.
5. Receipt of chemotherapy, radiotherapy or immunosuppressive medication in three months preceding enrollment in ULACNet-101 or at the screening visit for ULACNet-102.
6. Immunosuppression as a result of underlying illness or treatment including:

   1. Use of high dose corticosteroids (\>10 mg/day prednisone or equivalent) for \>=7 days (inhaled, otic, topical and ophthalmic corticosteroids are permitted).
   2. Primary immune deficiency disease.
   3. Use of synthetic or biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs.
   4. History of bone marrow or solid organ transplant.
   5. History of any other clinically significant autoimmune or immunosuppressive disease.
7. Participant initiated a new treatment with antibiotics within the 2 weeks prior to screening or plans to start antibiotic therapy during the study period.
8. Participant is taking NSAIDs as a long-term treatment (ie, consistent use for at least 4 days/week each month). Acute use of NSAIDs is allowed.
9. Participant has known hypersensitivity to EXE-346 or any product components.
10. Current known infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
11. Warts so extensive that they preclude the clinician from determining the extent and location of HSIL.
12. Sustained, manually confirmed, sitting systolic blood pressure \>150 mm Hg or \<90 mm Hg or a diastolic blood pressure \>95 mm Hg as measured by 3 readings taken 15 minutes apart at screening or Visit 1.
13. History of significant thrombocytopenia, history of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia (TTS) syndrome or heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.
14. Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that, in the opinion of the investigator, would limit compliance with study requirements.
15. Use of probiotics other than EXE-346 during the study and for a period of two weeks prior to screening.
16. Participant has participated in any clinical study of an approved or unapproved investigational medicinal product within the 30 days prior to screening.
17. Any other finding that, in the opinion of the Investigator deems the participant unsuitable for the study.

Where it's running

  • University of California, San Francisco
    San Francisco, California, United States
    Recruiting
  • University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center
    San Juan, Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico
    Not yet recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

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  • Topical treatment for anal high-grade lesions in HIV-negative individuals

    This study is testing if an ointment called artesunate can help treat anal high-grade lesions in HIV-negative adults better than a placebo.

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  • Using Cemiplimab with or without chemotherapy for HPV-related head and neck cancer

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How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.