Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection and causes most cases of cervical cancer along with a growing proportion of head and neck cancers, anal cancers, and genital cancers. Vaccines have proven highly effective at preventing the oncogenic strains responsible for most cancers.
What's actually going on in research
Second- and third-generation HPV vaccines protecting against more strains (nonavalent Gardasil 9) are in global rollout, and trials are measuring their impact on cancer reduction in vaccinated cohorts. Therapeutic vaccines — designed to treat existing HPV infection or HPV-caused precancerous lesions rather than prevent infection — are in active development, with mRNA-based approaches in early clinical trials. Catch-up vaccination in adults beyond traditional adolescent programs is being studied for benefit in older age groups.
Nonavalent vaccine impact
Gardasil 9 covers nine HPV strains responsible for 90% of HPV-related cancers. Long-term trials are tracking cervical precancer and cancer incidence reductions in vaccinated populations.
Therapeutic HPV vaccines
mRNA and DNA vaccines designed to treat existing HPV infection by generating immune responses against E6 and E7 viral proteins are in Phase 1 and 2 trials for precancerous lesions.
Adult catch-up vaccination
Trials are measuring whether HPV vaccination in adults aged 27–45 and immunocompromised individuals reduces HPV-related cancer risk, informing expanded vaccination recommendations.
What to know before you search
Eligibility depends on HPV vaccination history, age, sexual behavior history, and for therapeutic vaccine trials, documented HPV infection or precancerous lesion.
What types of trials are currently open
- Vaccine effectiveness trials — Measuring long-term cancer prevention in large populations vaccinated with HPV vaccines.
- Therapeutic vaccine trials — Testing therapeutic vaccines to clear persistent HPV infection and treat precancerous lesions.
- Adult vaccination trials — Evaluating HPV vaccination benefit in adults beyond adolescence, including immunocompromised individuals.
- Screening trials — Comparing HPV DNA testing versus cytology for cervical and anal cancer screening in different populations.
- Treatment of HPV lesions — Testing topical and immune therapies for anal, cervical, and genital HPV-related precancerous conditions.
Recently added Human Papillomavirus Infection trials
Phase II Study of Dysplasix™ Intravaginal Suppositories in Patients With High-Risk HPV (Hr-HPV) and Either (1) ASC-US or (2) Low-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions (LSIL)
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if an investigational vaginal suppository therapy works to treat low-grade cervical lesions (ASC-US and LSIL) associated with high-risk human papillomavirus (hr-HPV) infection in women. It will also learn about the safety and tolerability of this investigational therapy. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does the investigational therapy lead to regression of cervical lesions? * Does the investigational therapy help clear hr-HPV infection? * Do any adverse effects occur from using this medical product? Researchers will compare the investigational therapy to a placebo (a look-alike substance that contains no active drug) to see if the investigational therapy works. Participants will: * Be screened for hr-HPV, cervical abnormalities, and other conditions to be assessed for eligibility * Self-administer 15 doses of the investigational therapy or placebo as a vaginal suppository over 19 calendar days * Attend scheduled clinic visits for examinations, testing, and monitoring for a period of two months * Undergo assessments to evaluate cervical lesion status, hr-HPV infection, and safety outcomes * Keep a daily diary of investigational therapy use and associated information
Digital Telecytology for Triage of HPV-Positive Women in Cameroon
This study evaluates the diagnostic accuracy and feasibility of a same-day cervical cancer screening strategy using HPV self-sampling followed by digital telecytology triage among HPV-positive women in Cameroon. Women aged 30-49 years (or 25-49 years if HIV-positive) will undergo primary HPV testing using the GeneXpert system. HPV-positive women will be managed according to an extended HPV genotyping-based algorithm, including immediate treatment, telecytology triage, or follow-up. Histological assessment serves as the reference standard for the detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN2+). Secondary objectives include evaluation of AI-assisted telecytology and visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA), as well as the acceptability of screening and treatment strategies among women and healthcare providers. The study aims to generate evidence to support scalable, WHO-recommended test-triage-treat approaches in low-resource settings
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