26 Mar HPV: Experimental Eradication with AHCC Supplement

Posted at 12:23h in HPV, MD Anderson by

Dr. Judith A. Smith is an Associate Professor in the Department of Gynecologic Oncology & Reproductive Medicine in the Division of Surgery at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston (UTMDACC),MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Judith A. Smith Pharm.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Gynecologic Oncology & Reproductive Medicine
Division of Surgery
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston

MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings of the study?

Dr. Smith: This study first demonstrated in vitro suppression of HPV expression. After a single dose at 24 hours and with repeated dosing every 24 hours for 7 days followed by 7 days of no treatment, HPV eradication was achieved. These findings were confirmed with in vivo animal studies. HPV expression was eradicated with once daily AHCC dosing for 90 days and sustained after 30 day observation off treatment.  Immune modulation (increase) of IFNα (p < 0.03), IFNβ (p <0.03), and IFN (p< 0.03) and IgG1 (P < 0.05) was observed in AHCC treated mice compared to untreated controls.

AHCC mechanism of immune modulation of the IFN pathways to eradicate HPV was particularly relevant because E6/E7 oncogenic activity in HPV infection is believed to be related to suppression of IFN expression/signaling.  These data suggest AHCC may help clear HPV infections and have a potential role in the prevention of HPV-related cancers.

MedicalResearch.com: Were any of the findings unexpected?

Dr. Smith: After we had observed that AHCC eradicated HPV infection both in vivo and in vitro when we combined AHCC with cisplatin, improved tumor growth inhibition was observed in both the HPV positive (SiHa) and HPV negative (C33a) cell lines with the addition of AHCC + cisplatin compared to cisplatin alone.   In the C33a (HPV-) and SiHa (HPV16/18+) mouse orthotopic models a statistically significant decrease was observed in the rate of tumor growth in the AHCC (50 mg/kg/d) groups compared to untreated,(P < 0.001).  The hypothesis was that improved tumor response would be associated with eradication of HPV, but AHCC also had other anti-tumor effects as well.

MedicalResearch.com: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?

Dr. Smith: While the results of the pre-clinical studies are very encouraging and promising, this data should not be used to change clinical practice.  Clinicians should still recommend HPV vaccine and patients should still comply with screening recommendations.  This data provides hope that we may have a safe, efficacious nutritional supplement, AHCC that will work like an immunotherapy that uses a body’s own immune system to help eradicate the HPV infection and decrease risks for developing HPV-related cancers.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Dr. Smith: The key to success for any preclinical data is confirmation in humans. We currently are conducting a pilot study at UT Health Women’s Center in Houston, TX in HPV positive women to determine efficacy including duration of treatment and confirmation of immune modulation. The next step will be a randomized placebo controlled study and we would be very interested to have the protocol open at multiple sites to complete the study quickly and be able to move forward to reaching the patients in underdeveloped countries that desperately need an effective treatment of HPV infections.

Citation:

HPV eradicated by AHCC supplement

Presented at the
2014 Society of Gynecological Oncology 45th Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer
Tampa, Florida

 

Last Updated on March 1, 2015 by Marie Benz MD FAAD

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