Understanding severe HPV-related diseases
Official title: Natural History, Epidemiology and Pathogenesis of Severe HPV-Related Diseases (Neptune)
Run by National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC) · NCT05026138 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to understand why some people get severe HPV-related diseases by following those with tough cases and their healthy family members for up to 10 years.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 3 Years to 100 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 850 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC) NIH |
| Locations | 1 site (Bethesda, Maryland) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | November 17, 2021 |
| Main results expected | March 31, 2047 |
| Study ends | March 31, 2047 |
| Registry record updated | July 6, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT05026138 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates include individuals aged 3 years and older with severe, recurrent, and treatment-refractory HPV infections.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with mild HPV infections that respond well to standard treatments may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This observational study aims to investigate the natural history, epidemiology, and pathogenesis of severe diseases caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). It will enroll participants aged 3 years and older who have experienced multiple outbreaks of HPV-related warts or lesions that do not respond to treatment, as well as healthy relatives. The study will involve medical history assessments, physical exams, and blood tests, with participants being followed for up to 10 years to identify genetic and immunologic factors associated with severe HPV infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to better understanding and management of severe HPV-related diseases, improving treatment outcomes for affected patients.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been studies on HPV, this specific approach focusing on severe, treatment-refractory cases is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
* INCLUSION CRITERIA:
Inclusion Criteria for All Participants
1. Aged \>=3 years (except for household contacts and sexual partners of participants with HPV-related diseases, who must be aged 18 years and older).
2. Able to provide informed consent or, if younger than 18, be accompanied by a parent(s)/legal guardian(s) who is able to provide informed consent.
3. Willing to allow genetic testing on their collected biological samples.
Additional Inclusion Criteria for Participants with HPV-related Diseases
Has severe, disseminated, recurrent, and treatment-refractory HPV infection, defined as one or more of the following confirmed by medical record review or participant health history:
1. In participants without known primary or acquired immunodeficiency:
1. Multiple skin warts (\>=5) recurrent\* or refractory to standard-of-care interventions (eg, topical imiquimod, acetylsalicylic acid, cryotherapy, cantharidin, podophyllotoxin, bleomycin, cauterization, cidofovir, fluorouracil).
2. Concomitant skin warts (irrespective to recurrence or treatment response) AND any historical or current clinical and/or histologic or cytologic evidence of mucosal HPV-related diseases (oral, nasal, laryngeal, vaginal, anal, penile, or cervical).
3. Mucosal condyloma or other HPV-related diseases that are recurrent\* or refractory to standard-of-care interventions.
4. Historical evidence of mucosal condyloma or any HPV-related diseases occurring irrespective of response to standard-of-care interventions and involving more than one mucosal site.
2. In participants with known primary or acquired immunological defect (including idiopathic CD4 lymphopenia, immunosuppressive treatment, or HIV/AIDS):
a. Any skin OR mucosal HPV-related diseases
3. In any participant:
1. Recurrent invasive skin or mucosal HPV-related squamous cell carcinoma (HPV-SCC).
2. Historical or current histologic evidence of invasive HPV-SCC of any mucosal site in subjects with family history of HPV-SCC in 1 or more family members.
* The lack of complete response to 2 or more interventions is defined as treatment-refractory disease in the protocol, while the reappearance of a skin or mucosal lesion after complete resolution is defined as recurrence.
Additional Inclusion Criteria for Controls
1\. Biological relative, household contact, or sexual partner of the index participant (with HPV-related diseases) who meets one of the following criteria:
1. does not have any historical or current clinical and/or histologic or cytologic evidence of skin or mucosal HPV-related diseases, or
2. has historical or current clinical and/or histologic or cytologic evidence of skin or mucosal HPV-related diseases but does not meet the criteria to be enrolled in this study as a participant with HPV-related disease.
EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
Individuals meeting any of the following criteria will be excluded from study participation:
1. Laboratory abnormalities contraindicating research evaluations and procedures in patients without previous history of cytopenias: neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count \<500 cells/microL) or thrombocytopenia (platelets \<10,000/microL). Medical record review may be used to for determining eligibility if the laboratory tests were collected \<= 90 days prior to the screening visit.
2. Inability to reliably keep research appointments and/or adhere to research procedures.
3. Any condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, contraindicates participation in this study.
Additional Exclusion Criteria for Controls
1\. Has HPV-related disease that may indicate enrollment as an affected participant rather than as a healthy biological relative, household contact, or sexual partner.
Co-enrollment guidelines: Participants may be co-enrolled in other studies; however, study staff should be notified of co-enrollment.
Where it's running
-
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
Bethesda, Maryland, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Andrea Lisco, M.D. — National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
- Study coordinator: Andrea Lisco, M.D.
- Email: andrea.lisco@nih.gov
- Phone: (301) 761-7122
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.