Could a probiotic fight anal cancer in HIV patients?
NCT ID NCT06949800
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Sep 16, 2026 · Updated 7 times
Summary
This study tests whether a probiotic called EXE-346 can help treat anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) and reduce persistent high-risk HPV infection in people living with HIV. The trial will enroll 90 participants who will take the probiotic or a placebo daily. The goal is to see if the probiotic can shrink or eliminate precancerous lesions and clear the virus, potentially preventing anal cancer.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- EXE-346 Probiotic
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a simple probiotic treatment to reduce anal precancer and HPV infection in people with HIV.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early phase 2 trial with only 90 participants, so results may not be conclusive. The probiotic may not effectively clear lesions or HPV, and side effects are possible.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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About 90 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Sep 2026
- Expected to finish
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May 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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21 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Signed informed consent 2. Participant in ULACNet-101 or participant screened specifically for ULACNet-102. 3. Biopsy-proven anal HSIL (men or women) shown as part of participation in the ULACNet-101 study or at a screening visit for ULACNet-102. 4. At least one focus of anal HSIL must be large enough to be monitored for response, i.e.,not completely removed after the screening biopsy. 5. Total volume of HSIL is less than 50% of the anal canal or perianal region. 6. Must be actively on treatment with effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimen for at least three months preceding enrollment (Visit 1, Day 1) in ULACNet-101 or at screening for ULACNet-102. 7. HIV RNA \<200 copies/ml at baseline. 8. Cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) nadir above 200 cells per microliter (uL) 9. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status \<=1 (Karnofsky \>= 70%). 10. Participants must meet the following laboratory parameters within 3 months before enrollment: 1. Leukocytes: ≥3,000/mm\^3. 2. Absolute neutrophil count: ≥1,500/mm\^3. 3. Platelets: ≥100,000/mm\^3. 4. Elevation of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), or bilirubin \<2 times the upper limit of normal. 11. Not pregnant or breast feeding and one of the following: 1. Of non-childbearing potential (i.e. persons aged 60 years or older or who have had a hysterectomy or tubal ligation or are postmenopausal, as defined by no menses for at least 12 months and without an alternative medical cause). 2. Persons aged less than 60 years of childbearing potential and agree to practice highly effective contraception from initiation of taking EXE-346 or placebo through 14 days after taking the last dose of EXE-346 or placebo. Highly effective methods of contraception include one or more of the following: i.Male partner who is sterile (medically effective vasectomy) prior to the female participant's entry into the study and is the sole sexual partner for the female participant. ii.Hormonal (oral, intravaginal, transdermal, implantable or injectable); Progestogen-only hormonal contraceptives without inhibition of ovulation are not considered to be highly effective. iii. An intrauterine hormone-releasing system. iv. An intrauterine device. v. Bilateral tubal occlusion or removal. vi. Sexual abstinence, only if the participant refrains from heterosexual intercourse from initiation taking EXE-346 or placebo through 14 days after taking the last dose of EXE-346 or placebo and it is the usual lifestyle of the participant. Exclusion Criteria: 1. History of any anogenital cancer. 2. Presence of untreated cervical HSIL or cervical cancer. 3. Anal HSIL on clinical examination or biopsy that clinicians are concerned for cancer. 4. Receipt of chemotherapy, radiotherapy or immunosuppressive medication in three months preceding enrollment in ULACNet-101 or at the screening visit for ULACNet-102. 5. Immunosuppression as a result of underlying illness or treatment including: 1. Use of high dose corticosteroids (\>10 mg/day prednisone or equivalent) for \>=7 days (inhaled, otic, topical and ophthalmic corticosteroids are permitted). 2. Primary immune deficiency disease. 3. Use of synthetic or biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. 4. History of bone marrow or solid organ transplant. 5. History of any other clinically significant autoimmune or immunosuppressive disease. 6. Participant initiated a new treatment with antibiotics within the 2 weeks prior to screening or plans to start antibiotic therapy during the study period. 7. Participant is taking NSAIDs as a long-term treatment (ie, consistent use for at least 4 days/week each month). Acute use of NSAIDs is allowed. 8. Participant has known hypersensitivity to EXE-346 or any product components. 9. Current known infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). 10. Warts so extensive that they preclude the clinician from determining the extent and location of HSIL. 11. Sustained, manually confirmed, sitting systolic blood pressure \>150 mm Hg or \<90 mm Hg or a diastolic blood pressure \>95 mm Hg as measured by 3 readings taken 15 minutes apart at screening or Visit 1. 12. History of significant thrombocytopenia, history of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia (TTS) syndrome or heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. 13. Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that, in the opinion of the investigator, would limit compliance with study requirements. 14. Participant has participated in any clinical study of an approved or unapproved investigational medicinal product within the 30 days prior to screening. 15. Any other finding that, in the opinion of the Investigator deems the participant unsuitable for the study
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Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The study's own enquiry address
This study publishes an address for enquiries. See it below .
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The places running it
2 sites in 2 countries. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Show contact details
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Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Locations
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University of California, San Francisco
RECRUITINGSan Francisco, California, 94143, United States
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
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University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGSan Juan, 00936, Puerto Rico
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