Turmeric compound tested as vaginal treatment for cervical precancer

NCT ID NCT04266275

Not yet recruiting Disease control Sponsor: Lisa Flowers Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This phase 2 trial tests whether curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, can clear HPV and prevent precancerous cervical lesions from returning. About 200 women with low-grade or recently treated high-grade cervical precancer will insert curcumin or placebo capsules vaginally once a week for 20 weeks. After 6 months, they will have a Pap smear and HPV test to see if curcumin helps clear the virus.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: curcumin (from turmeric) vaginal capsules
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a low-cost, low-toxicity option to help clear HPV and prevent cervical precancer from coming back.
What could go wrong: This is an early phase 2 trial with only 200 participants. Curcumin is poorly absorbed, and the vaginal route may not work well. The study is not yet recruiting, so results are years away.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

cervical intraepithelial neoplasia cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2/3 infectious disease neoplasm Uterine Cervical Neoplasms uterine cervix carcinoma in situ uterine cervix neoplasm

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

NEOPLASM CERVIX

Contacts and locations

Locations

Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia, 30303, United States
Grady Hospital - Ponce De Leon Clinic

Atlanta, Georgia, 30308, United States
Grady Memorial Hospital

Atlanta, Georgia, 30303, United States

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