Manchester (dapd). A drug used against HIV infections inhibits also viruses that cause cervical cancer. British physician looked now more precisely how this is done, in experiments with cell cultures. Therefore, the active ingredient of lopinavir strengthens the natural antivirus defense cells that are infected with papilloma viruses (HPV). Its use could prevent that from HPV infected cells a cervical cancer develops, write the researchers in the journal «Antiviral Therapy» (doi: 10.3851/IMP1786).

«We have shown that lopinavir kills HPV infected cells, by it reactivated a known virus defense system, which is blocked by HPV,» says Ian Hampson from the University of Manchester. If infect Papillomaviruses cells of the mucous membrane of the womb, cause genital warts. With certain types of virus, a cancer can develop from this. That could be prevented by you already fighting the cancer precursor, so the HPV infection. While there is a vaccine, but does this not protect against all of the cancer-causing HPV types. In addition, it is no longer in effect, if the cells are already infected.

Lopinavir reinforced the anti-virus protection

In experiments with human cell cultures, the researchers found that lopinavir kills HPV infected cells before cancer cells have developed. However, healthy cells were not harmed. Also, the drug increased the production of the enzyme Ribonuclease L, which is used virus protection inhibited by the papillomavirus. To achieve this effect in infected cells of the mucous membrane of the uterus, higher concentrations of the drug are needed, but ten to fünfzehnfach as are reached with the tablets, says Hampson. Therefore, the means for clinical trials as a cream or Pessary would have to be administered locally.

According to the authors each year more than 490,000 women develop cervical cancer. 70 Percent of cases can be traced back to infection with the two Papillomavirustypen HPV 16 and HPV 18. The women in southern Africa, where the AIDS virus has spread particularly are particularly affected. Because an HPV infection increases the risk of additional infection with the HI virus.