Anti-HPV Activity of a Vaginal Topical Formulation in Cervicovaginal Lavages

Name: Gearoff Cruz Rodriguez

Mentor Name: Dr. Jose Fernandez Romero

Abstract: More than 290 million women are infected with a human papillomavirus (HPV). Although HPV vaccines are undoubtedly important tools to prevent new infections, vaccination uptake has not been optimal. Carrageenan has been identified as a potential anti-HPV agent that could be used in topical formulations to prevent new infections and possibly accelerate clearance of existing infections. We evaluated the anti-HPV activity of cervicovaginal lavages (CVLs) from women using a griffithsin (GRFT)/carrageenan multipurpose prevention vaginal gel.

We tested CVLs from 13 healthy HIV-negative, non-pregnant women who volunteered for a Phase 1 safety trial. Participants were instructed to insert one dose of a gel (0.1 % GRFT in 3% carrageenan gel or 3% carrageenan only) vaginally once daily x 14 days. CVLs were collected before gel application and 4h, 8h or 24h after single or multiple gel applications. Anti-HPV activity was evaluated using the HPV-16 PsV luciferase assay.

CVLs recovered 4h, 8h or 24h after gel application had EC50 values between 0.066 and 0.000032 (based on sample dilution). EC50 values from CVLs collected at all three timepoints post gel application were significantly lower from baseline EC50 values (p<0.0001). Our results support the further development of GRFT/carrageenan multipurpose topical formulation to prevent sexually transmitted infections, including HPV.