epiglucan and Papillomavirus-Infections

Evaluate the effects of carboxy-methyl-beta-glucan on cervical epithelialization and on the vaginal microbiota in patients with HPV infection or low-grade cervical preneoplastic lesion (CIN 1).. Seven-hundred eighty-four women with positive HPV tests or diagnosed with CIN 1 were enrolled in a retrospective case-control study. All the recruited women performed, at baseline and after 6 months, Pap test, HPV test, evaluation of vaginal health according to the Amsel criteria, colposcopy, and punch biopsy. The study population was then divided into 2 groups in relation to the therapy performed during the follow-up period. Group A performed treatment with vaginal gel based on carboxy-methyl-beta-glucan (1 application/day for 20 days per month for 3 months). Group B was the control group.. The patients of group A had a significant improvement in the ectopia pattern and a greater number of cases with metaplasia in the maturation phase with a significant increase in Lugol uptake. In the experimental group, a significant improvement in the pH indices, a negative Swift test and a resolution of the leucorrhoea were observed. A negative result of the 37.1% Pap test and the 39.9% HPV test (vs. 15.2% and 16.5%, respectively) were demonstrated in the treatment group with respect to the control group. A negativization of the colposcopic pictures was observed with a reduction in the amount of CIN 1 found higher in the treatment group.. Vaginal therapy based on carboxy-methyl-beta-glucan has been able to improve overall vaginal health; this effect seemed to positively impact the risk of persistence and progression of CIN.

Topics: Adult; beta-Glucans; Case-Control Studies; Cervix Uteri; Female; Humans; Microbiota; Papillomavirus Infections; Re-Epithelialization; Retrospective Studies; Uterine Cervical Dysplasia; Vagina

Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been directly related to acuminate warts and cervical cancer, the second most common neoplasia among women. Given the lack of treatment against the virus itself, many medications have been utilised, mainly aiming in modifying the host's immunological response. We present the case of a 54 years old postmenopausal patient with a history of vaginal cuff wart and HPV persistence that we managed in our clinic for 6 months with a mix of curcumin, aloe vera, amla and other natural ingredients. As the patient was found to be intolerant to imiquimod (one of the most common conservative methods of treatment) we attempted the use of curcumin, which was applied to the area of the wart three times per week for 6 months. Both clinical and colposcopical improvement was noted in regular clinic visits with regression of the lesion. The outcome of this case encourages our view that curcumin should be considered as a significant treatment modality against HPV infection and acuminate warts.

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Antineoplastic Agents; beta-Glucans; Colposcopy; Condylomata Acuminata; Curcumin; Drug Combinations; Fatty Alcohols; Female; Humans; Imiquimod; Lactic Acid; Middle Aged; Papanicolaou Test; Papillomavirus Infections; Phyllanthus emblica; Phytotherapy; Plant Preparations; Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions of the Cervix; Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies; Vaginal Diseases; Vaginal Smears

Infection with human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) is known to cause cervical cancer, hence the several HPV therapeutic vaccines are developed in E7 oncoproteins and targeted on cell-mediated immunity. Human dendritic cells (HuDCs) are extensively employed in HPV therapeutic vaccines as the carrier or platform for inducing adaptive immune responses. However, the immunomodulators need to be further investigated for vaccine effects. Gray oyster mushroom (Pleurotus sajor-caju) containing β-glucans is a potent immunomodulator with potential to be used in vaccines.. To study the effect of Pleurotus sajor-caju-β-glucan Polysaccharides (PBG) on human T-lymphocytes by use of the HuDCs' antigen presentation platform for HPV16 vaccine.. The HPV16-E7 recombinant proteins were constructed in E. Coli. HuDCs pulsed with E7 peptide were cocultured with the T-lymphocytes treated with and without PBG. The number of T-lymphocytes(CD4; CD8) was detected by flowcytometry, and the viral response of T-lymphocytes was measured via IFN-γ release.. The PBG treated group of T-lymphocytes cocultured with the HuDCs pulsed by the HPV16-E7 proteins showed significantly higher numbers of T-lymphocytes and IFN-γ release compared with T-lymphocytes without PBG in vitro. Moreover, a significant improvement in the level of specific IgG neutralizing antibodies to HPV was found in a murine model. Further observed was an increase in the expansion of helper and cytotoxic T-cells and IFN-γ releases in human system.. PBG treatment of T-lymphocytes could be a useful option for prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines in cervical cancer.

Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Neutralizing; Antibodies, Viral; Antigen Presentation; Antigens, Fungal; beta-Glucans; Cancer Vaccines; Cells, Cultured; Coculture Techniques; Dendritic Cells; Female; Human papillomavirus 16; Humans; Immunologic Factors; Interferon-gamma; Lymphocyte Activation; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Papillomavirus E7 Proteins; Papillomavirus Infections; Papillomavirus Vaccines; Peptides; Pleurotus; T-Lymphocytes; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

Persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection constitutes the principal risk factor for the development of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cervical cancer. For this reason, new drugs have been studied to support the host immune system against the HPV infection. The aim of this retrospective, case-control study was to detect the efficacy and safety of carboxymethyl β-glucan (Colpofix®) gel as adjuvant therapy in HPV infection.. The medical records of patients attending the Colposcopy Service of four hospitals in Rome from 2011 to 2013 were collected. Case arm consisted of patients submitted to local therapy with Colpofix®. Control arm comprised patients who did not receive this therapy. A total of 999 patients were included, divided into four groups, according to their cytological and histological specimens, colposcopy and subsequent management.. Local therapy with Colpofix® gel resulted effective with respect to no therapy for the regression of low-grade CIN (CIN1) in patients submitted to follow up (P=0.0204), while it was no effective for the regression of CIN1 submitted to ablative therapy and high-grade CIN (CIN 2+) (P value not significant).. In conclusion, Colpofix® gel represents a valid alternative to "wait and see" strategy in patients affected by CIN1. Further prospective studies are warranted to confirm these results.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; beta-Glucans; Case-Control Studies; Colposcopy; Female; Gels; Humans; Italy; Middle Aged; Papillomavirus Infections; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Treatment Outcome; Uterine Cervical Dysplasia; Young Adult

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the beta-glucan in women with abnormal cytology, including the women with a positive screening for ASCUS-LSIL furtherly divided in women with positive cytology (ASCUS or LSIL) and negative colposcopy and women with abnormal cytology, positive colposcopy and human papilloma virus (HPV)-CIN1 hystology who opted for follow-up.. From September 2007 to December 2008, 60 women with ASCUS-LSIL diagnosis were recruited at the ambulatory of Lasersurgery and Cervico-Vaginal Patology, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics of Policlinico Umberto I of Rome. The women was subdivided in two groups: 1) women with cytological diagnosis of ASCUS or LSIL and negative colposcopy; 2) women with abnormal cytology, positive colposcopy and HPV-CIN1 histology, who opted for follow-up. All the women were treated with two cycles of a daily topical application of beta-glucan for 20 consecutive days with a suspension of 10 days. The effects of beta-glucan were analyzed with colposcopy and cytology at 3.6 and 12 months from the beginning of the therapy.. After 3 months of treatment, of the 30 women with positive cytology and negative colposcopy, 80% with ASCUS diagnosis resulted negative, 35% with LSIL diagnosis resulted negative; after 6 months 100% with ASCUS diagnosis resulted negative, 70% with LSIL diagnosis resulted negative; after 12 months 85% with LSIL diagnosis resulted negative. Of the 30 women with positive cytology, positive colposcopy and HPV-CIN1 histology after 3 months 20% resulted negative, after 6 months 60% resulted negative and after 12 months 80% resulted negative. The persistence of the HPV-CIN1 histology was verified in the 13% of the women. For these women the definitive treatment was the TFD.. Our study demonstrate the effectiveness of the treatment with beta-glucan in the women with ASCUS-LSIL lesions and HPV-CIN1 lesions, increasing of the regressions rate after 12 months of the treatment of the 15-20%.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; beta-Glucans; Female; Humans; Papillomavirus Infections; Uterine Cervical Dysplasia; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Young Adult