Characterization of the vaginal microbiota of women with cervical cancer precursor lesions and the impact of maintenance of vaginal eubiosis on HPV clearance

• Grant number: 24/22212-4
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: August 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Pathological Anatomy and Clinical Pathology
• Principal Investigator: Lucas Tadeu Bidinotto
• Grantee: Lucas Tadeu Bidinotto
• Host Institution: Hospital do Câncer de Barretos. Fundação Pio XII (FP). Barretos , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Júlio César Possati Resende ; Márcia Guimarães da Silva

Abstract

The mechanisms associated with HPV clearance are poorly understood andappear to be multifactorial, with potential protective factors of the lactobacilli-dominatedmicrobiota possibly involved. Therefore, the present project aims to characterize thevaginal microbiota of women with high-grade cervical dysplastic lesions and associatethe maintenance of vaginal eubiosis with HPV clearance. A total of 120 womendiagnosed with high-grade precursor lesions will be followed every six months for 18months. Colposcopy, cytology, HPV genotyping, biopsy, and vaginal wall swabs (formolecular microbiota analysis) will be performed. Of these, 60 women will be followedunder the "eubiosis maintenance protocol," with samples collected for Gram stainingevery two months. Additionally, every six months, samples will be collected formolecular microbiota analysis, endocervical cytobrush (for STI screening), and vaginallavage. Any abnormalities found will be managed according to the standard protocols ofthe Hospital de Amor de Barretos. The other 60 women will be followed according to the"standard protocol of the Hospital de Amor de Barretos". Additionally, 60 women withoutcervical abnormalities and HPV-negative will be recruited as a control group. Themicrobiota, STIs, and cytokine profiles will be compared across these groups tocharacterize women undergoing excision at the Hospital de Amor de Barretos.Furthermore, data from women following either the eubiosis maintenance or standardprotocols throughout the follow-up will be compared, with HPV clearance as the primaryendpoint. (AU)