HIV drug could lead to new cervical cancer treatment The HIV
protease inhibitor lopinavir (a component of Kaletra) triggers
cells infected with human papillomavirus to produce an antiviral
protein, inducing death of the cancerous cells, researchers at
the University of Manchester report in the journal Antiviral
Therapy. “We have now found that lopinavir selectively kills
HPV-infected, non-cancerous cells, while leaving healthy cells
relatively unaffected,” said Dr Ian Hampson, from Manchester’s
School of Cancer and Enabling Sciences. The finding could lead
to a new form of treatment for cervical cancer, which is caused
by certain high-risk types of human papillomavirus. At present
treatment options for precancerous lesions caused by human
papillomavirus, and for cervical cancer, are limited to freezing
with liquid nitrogen in early stages, to electrocauterisation,
or to surgery and chemotherapy in cases of cervical cancer.
However, in low and middle-income settings surgical treatments
for precancerous lesions