As originally reported in BioPortfolio, a novel DNA therapy for patients with HPV 6 who experience recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) has concluded its first clinical trial with promising results. As of now, the rare disease does not have any desirable treatment options. The most effective option currently consists of invasive surgeries multiple times a year to remove the persistent tumors, a solution most patients would opt out of were there any other choices.
The pilot clinical study carried out by Inovio Pharmceuticals published a study on two patients who were subjected to the novel DNA therapy. The therapy lowered the frequency of surgeries necessary significantly. Before the patients required the invasive treatment twice annually, but in the trial, one patient didn’t require a surgery for a year and half and the other didn’t need one for two and a half years. The therapy also promoted immunogenicity and a better HPV-6 cellular response targeting the virus.
Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis
Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is a disorder causing tumors which continue to reoccur despite treatment and surgeries to remove them. These typically cause a persistent cough, a hoarse voice, issues swallowing, sleeping, and common infections. These tumors, known as papillomas, are the result of HPV 6, the human papilloma virus. These are not necessarily cancerous or dangerous, but can obstruct necessary passages, damage the functioning of the respiratory system, and can make patients more susceptible to dangerous conditions such as pneumonia, chronic lung disease, and lung failure. Currently, the treatment involves surgeries to remove the tumors as the appear and reappear.
The new therapy will be moving onto a Phase 2 trial for continued testing.
