Novel Drug Delivery Platform for the Topical Treatment of Cervical Cancer

Abstract

Cervical cancer was ranked fourth of all cancer deaths among women globally in 2012. Although vaccines were developed as prophylaxis, they do not cure existing infection, nor do they provide protection against all types of the causative virus (Human Papillomavirus). The current treatments of cervical cancer, including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, have not improved the 5-year survival rate over the last decades, and were associated with undesirable systemic side effects. Therefore, there is a pressing need of novel strategies for cervical cancer treatment. Aurora A Kinase was recently identified as critical for the survival of human-papillomavirus-transformed cervical cancer, which accounts for more than 99% of cervical cancer cases, and a complete regression of the disease was achieved in mouse models by inhibiting this enzyme using Alisertib (MLN8237) by Takeda (Japan). This effect was due to Alisertib sensitivity induced by the HPV oncogene, E7, providing a rationale for testing this drug to treat - HPV-driven cancers.