New antiviral treatment shows promise against oral cancer-causing human papillomaviruses
A world-first antiviral treatment has been developed to fight human papillomaviruses (HPVs)—viruses that are known to cause oral, head, and neck cancers. This groundbreaking development could fill a critical gap in HPV care, particularly for patients with weakened immune systems who do not benefit from vaccines.
Currently, no antiviral treatment exists for HPVs, making this discovery a major milestone. A team of researchers has identified a small molecule compound, NSC51349, which has shown strong antiviral activity in laboratory tests. Published in the Journal of Virology, the research demonstrates the compound’s ability to block a key viral protein, effectively stopping HPV from multiplying.
“The inhibitor may represent a new class of HPV-specific antiviral drugs with significant potential,” said Dr. Alla Piirsoo, molecular virologist and lead researcher. “Unlike HPV vaccines, our approach could help people with compromised immunity who currently have limited therapeutic options.”
NSC51349: A potential game-changer in HPV therapy
In the study, researchers screened more than 1,500 compounds and found that NSC51349 significantly reduced HPV type 5 viral load—without damaging the host cells.
The next step is animal testing, which, if successful, will pave the way for clinical development. According to Dr. Piirsoo, proving efficacy in animal models would be a “strong signal” toward future therapeutic use in humans.
Cervical HPV may increase oral HPV risk
A related study has uncovered a link between cervical HPV infection and increased risk of oral HPV. Women with cervical HPV were more than twice as likely to also carry HPV in the mouth, compared to those without cervical infection.
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Dr. Adél Eszter Mózes, a dental PhD student at Semmelweis University, noted that identifying these women as a high-risk group could improve early detection of HPV-related throat cancers, which currently lack visible early symptoms.
Key risk factors for oral HPV infections
The study also identified several risk factors contributing to oral HPV transmission and persistence:
- Smoking and oral contraceptive use
- Frequent oral sexual activity, particularly among female prisoners
- Poor oral hygiene, leading to periodontal disease and disrupted oral microbiome
- Infrequent use of barrier protection during oral sex
Interestingly, sex workers did not show higher rates of oral HPV, likely due to consistent use of condoms and other barrier methods.
Why this matters
HPV is one of the most common viral infections globally and is a leading cause of cervical, oropharyngeal, and other cancers. Current vaccines are preventive, not therapeutic, and require a functioning immune system. If approved, NSC51349 would be the first direct antiviral targeting HPVs, revolutionizing care for millions.
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