Probiotics enhance the clearance of human papillomavirus-related cervical lesions: a prospective controlled pilot study

Eur J Cancer Prev. 2013 Jan;22(1):46-51. doi: 10.1097/CEJ.0b013e328355ed23.

Abstract

Probiotics have been proposed for a number of urogenital infectious conditions. In this study, we examine a possible effect on human papillomavirus (HPV)-related precancerous lesions in cervical cytology. We conducted a prospective controlled pilot study, in which 54 women with an HPV+low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion diagnosis in their PAP smear were followed for 6 months. The intervention group consumed a daily probiotic drink during the study period; the control group received no treatment, according to common care policy. Outcome measures were the control PAP smear and HPV status after 6 months. Probiotic users had a twice as high chance of clearance of cytological abnormalities (60 vs. 31%, P=0.05). HPV was cleared in 19% of control patients versus 29% of probiotic users (P=0.41). This exploratory pilot study suggests that the probiotic studied promotes the clearance of HPV-related cytological abnormalities. If confirmed, this would represent an entirely new option to manage cervical cancer precursors.

Publication types

  • Controlled Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms, Squamous Cell / diet therapy*
  • Neoplasms, Squamous Cell / epidemiology
  • Neoplasms, Squamous Cell / virology
  • Papillomaviridae*
  • Papillomavirus Infections / diet therapy*
  • Papillomavirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Papillomavirus Infections / pathology
  • Pilot Projects
  • Probiotics / administration & dosage*
  • Probiotics / therapeutic use
  • Prospective Studies
  • Up-Regulation / physiology
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / diet therapy*
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / virology
  • Young Adult