AzTrials
AzTrials

Anal DysplasiaHPV-SAVENCT02503111

The HPV-SAVE Study Team: HPV Screening and Vaccine Evaluation in Men Who Have Sex With Men

A study testing The Hyfrecator ® 2000 Electrosurgical System and Observation Alone in people with Anal Dysplasia and Human Papillomavirus, run by University Health Network, Toronto at 4 sites in Canada.

Terminated

Stopped early. The study ended before it was planned to and will not resume.

Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide. Infection by certain high-risk oncogenic types of HPV (HR-HPV) is the major cause of several cancers in men, notably squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the anal canal. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Anal Dysplasia, Human Papillomavirus, Anal Cancer
What is being tested?
The Hyfrecator ® 2000 Electrosurgical System and Observation Alone
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
71 participants
Where
4 sitesCanada
Study dates
Nov 2015to 14 Apr 2022
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • Men only
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Males, aged ≥18 years at baseline;
  • Identify as a man who has sex with a men (MSM);
  • HIV-positive; laboratory documentation of HIV-1 infection;
  • For those on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), the participant must be on a stable regimen;
  • An ability to give informed consent;
  • An ability to attend clinic for follow-up, including possible HRA and biopsy;
  • AIN-2 or -3 found on biopsy of anal canal lesion(s);
  • Willingness to be randomized to undergo ablative therapy or active surveillance.

Who cannot join

  • Current or prior history of cancer of the anogenital regions (e.g. penile, anal, or rectal).;
  • Previous treatment of high grade dysplasia;

Trial locations and contacts

4 sites in 1 country.

Canada4 sites
  • Ottawa Hospital Research Institute

    Ottawa, Ontario, K1Y 4E9

  • University Health Network - Toronto General Hospital

    Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2C4

  • BC Centre for Disease Control

    Vancouver, British Columbia, V5Z 4R4

  • University of British Columbia

    Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z4

Other trials in Canada

About this study

Official title: A Randomized Controlled, Open-label Trial Examining the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Ablative Therapies for High-grade Anal Dysplasia Versus Observation Alone in HIV-positive Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM)

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide. Infection by certain high-risk oncogenic types of HPV (HR-HPV) is the major cause of several cancers in men, notably squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the anal canal. Rates of anal infection with these HR-HPV strains and the resultant high-grade anal dysplasia and anal cancer are much higher in men who have sex with men (MSM) than in the general population. Co-infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) further amplifies this burden, making the rates of anal SCC in HIV-positive MSM higher than the historic rates of cervical cancer prior to the adoption of routine cervical cytology screening. Despite these alarming statistics, there are no established protocols for optimal screening and treatment of anal HPV and cancer precursors, nor has there been any widespread rollout of organized screening programs anywhere in Canada. Further, not only does HPV directly cause significant disease in these men, but there is growing epidemiologic evidence that HPV infection may enhance sexual transmission of HIV. These significant knowledge gaps translate into fundamental deficiencies in care for HIV-positive MSM.

The HPV Screening and Vaccine Evaluation in MSM (HPV-SAVE) study team will recruit a large group of MSM from various Ontario and Vancouver clinics, in order to carry out a number of different studies. The HPV-SAVE team brings together community and internationally-recognized experts in HPV and HIV disease and mucosal immunology, to better define the optimal approaches for primary and secondary prevention and treatment of HPV-associated anal disease among HIV-positive MSM, and to explore biological mechanistic evidence regarding the potential role of HPV as a co-factor for HIV transmission. This will yield critical information which can lead to improvement in the health of MSM, and will provide a foundation on which to build further, large-scale screening and treatment trials on a national level. The primary aim of the current study is to systematically compare ablative therapy versus intensive observation alone (also known as 'watchful waiting') in outcomes relating to high-grade anal dysplasia.

Read the detailed description

Since the 1990s, combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has markedly reduced HIV-related opportunistic infections and mortality [1], and increased the life expectancy of people living with HIV [2]. While acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-defining malignancies have declined [3,4], non-AIDS defining malignancies continue to occur at higher rates in HIV-infected persons than in the general population [4]. Amongst these are cancers associated with HPV which is responsible for the vast majority of cervical cancers (itself a well-established AIDS-defining illness), and an estimated 90% of SCC of the anal canal [5]. cART not only fails to protect against anal pre-cancers and cancers [4,6,7], but the incidence of anal SCC is increasing in the cART era [6,8]. Because of this increasing burden of disease, there is an urgent need to find effective ways of preventing anal SCC in those living with HIV. This includes screening for anal cancer precursors and ablative treatment of these lesions.

Though it is infrequent at a rate of 1 per 100 000, anal SCC is on the rise in the general population [9]. It occurs at significantly higher rates in HIV-positive men - particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM) - with an estimated rate of 60 to 160 per 100 000 [4], and no evidence of slowing in the era of increased cART use [10] (See Figure 1). In fact, rates of anal cancer among HIV-infected MSM are comparable to rates of cervical cancer in women prior to the adoption of routine screening for cervical dysplasia [11]. According to data from the Public Health Agency of Canada, rates of cervical cancer in 1972 were 18 per 100 000, dropping to just under 8 per 100 000 in 2004 [12]. In addition to its etiologic association with HPV, anal cancer shares many similarities with cervical cancer. Both are squamous cell cancers occurring at the squamocolumnar junction [13,14] and both likely arise from histologically-similar dysplastic precursor lesions [15,16]. It is postulated that a critical step in anal cancer carcinogenesis is the establishment of persistent infection with oncogenic HPV in the anal canal [16]. Though the majority of HPV infections are considered transient and will eventually clear even in HIV-positive individuals [17], HIV-positive individuals have higher rates of persistent infection, especially with oncogenic HPV types [18].

Of the greater than 170 HPV types, over 50 favour the anogenital area and, on the basis of epidemiologic and phylogenetic data, these have been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer [19]. The vast majority of anal cancers (as well as cervical cancers) are caused by two high-risk HPV types: HPV type 16 and HPV type 18 which are responsible for 66% and 5% of anal cancers, respectively [20]. HPV lesions caused by low-risk HPV (LR-HPV) types include condylomata (commonly known as 'genital warts'), of which 90% are caused by HPV types 6 and 11 [21]. Prevention strategies for anal cancers have emerged that are analogous to strategies used in cervical cancer screening, in that the aim is to identify precursor lesions which can then be removed before progression to cancer. Screening and detection rely on a combination of anal cytology (Papanicolaou, or Pap smear), anal HPV detection and high-resolution anoscopy (HRA) which is analogous to colposcopy). Visually-directed anal biopsy during HRA is considered the gold standard for detecting dysplastic lesions such as high-grade anal intraepithelial neoplasia (HGAIN; typically graded as AIN-2 or -3) [16,22]. Anal cytology is generally used as a screening test to determine whether HRA is needed; however, cytology is an imperfect predictor of intra-anal HGAIN. Despite the clear evidence indicating the benefit of screening and treatment procedures in cervical cancer screening, no large rigorous studies have been performed to assess such strategies in anal cancer prevention in men or women.

Being tested
The Hyfrecator ® 2000 Electrosurgical System, Observation Alone
Keywords
Men who have sex with men, Human immunodeficiency virus, Human papillomavirus, Anal intraepithelial neoplasia, Squamous cell carcinoma, High-resolution anoscopy, Anal cancer, High-risk oncogenic, Intraepithelial lesion, Low-risk non-oncogenic, Dysplasia, High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, Low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, Ablative therapy, Electrocautery, Infrared coagulation, Active surveillance
Medical subject headings
Anus Neoplasms, Homosexuality, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Carcinoma, Squamous Cell, Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • The Hyfrecator ® 2000 Electrosurgical SystemDevice

    Also called EC

    Lesion is ablated by the The Hyfrecator ® 2000 Electrosurgical System. During electrocautery (EC) with The Hyfrecator, a gentle brushing technique occurs and the tissue is removed with forceps.

  • Observation AloneOther

    No treatment to AIN-2 or AIN-3, only active surveillance.

Study groups in NCT02503111
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Ablative therapyExperimentalAblative therapy involving electrocautery (EC) will occur for participants with AIN-2 and AIN-3. The Hyfrecator ® 2000 Electrosurgical System will be used for EC therapy.
Receives: Device: The Hyfrecator ® 2000 Electrosurgical System
Active SurveillanceActive comparatorThe control arm includes active surveillance with observation alone; no treatment in AIN-2 and -3.
Receives: Other: Observation Alone

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Anal dysplasia treatment on a per-patient basis

    Histologic resolution of high-grade AIN after treatment completion, with ablative therapies or surveillance alone. Resolution of high-grade AIN will be defined as histologic diagnosis of AIN-1 or normal at the post treatment HRA.

    Measured: Participants will be followed after post-treatment completion, an expected average of 6 months

Secondary outcomes (4)
  1. Resolution of high-grade AIN at 3 and 6 months after randomization, on a per-lesion basis

    Resolution of high-grade AIN after treatment on a per-lesion basis. Histologic resolution of high-grade AIN after treatment completion, with ablative therapies or surveillance alone. Resolution of high-grade AIN will be defined as histologic diagnosis of AIN-1 or normal at the post treatment HRA.

    Measured: Participants will be followed after post-treatment completion, an expected average of 6 months

  2. Recurrence rates of high-grade AIN

    Recurrence rates of high-grade AIN following ablative therapy on a per lesion basis.

    Measured: Participants will be followed post-treatment completion, at 12, 24 and 36 months after randomization

  3. Number of participants with adverse events

    Number of participants assessed on safety, tolerability and acceptability of the different intervention arms and the different treatments in the ablative therapies arms. Evaluation of adverse events and questionnaire-assessed acceptability by intervention arms and ablative treatment type.

    Measured: Participants will be followed after post-treatment completion, an expected average of 36 months

  4. Acceptability of treatment

    Questionnaire-assessed acceptability by intervention arm

    Measured: Within 6 months of randomization

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted20 Jul 2015 (estimated)
  2. Study startNov 2015
  3. Primary completion1 Nov 2021
  4. Study completion14 Apr 2022

Why it stopped: Results from ANCHOR study showed benefit of Treatment over Surveillance in preventing anal cancer. That study was similar to the current one.

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
71 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT02503111
Sponsor's protocol ID
CTN 292B
Acronym
HPV-SAVE
Status last verified
Jun 2022
First submitted
10 Jul 2015
Last updated
13 Jun 2022
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes

Publications

  • Palella FJ Jr, Delaney KM, Moorman AC, Loveless MO, Fuhrer J, Satten GA, Aschman DJ, Holmberg SD. Declining morbidity and mortality among patients with advanced human immunodeficiency virus infection. HIV Outpatient Study Investigators. N Engl J Med. 1998 Mar 26;338(13):853-60. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199803263381301.

    PubMed 9516219
  • Lohse N, Hansen AB, Pedersen G, Kronborg G, Gerstoft J, Sorensen HT, Vaeth M, Obel N. Survival of persons with and without HIV infection in Denmark, 1995-2005. Ann Intern Med. 2007 Jan 16;146(2):87-95. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-146-2-200701160-00003.

    PubMed 17227932
  • Patel P, Hanson DL, Sullivan PS, Novak RM, Moorman AC, Tong TC, Holmberg SD, Brooks JT; Adult and Adolescent Spectrum of Disease Project and HIV Outpatient Study Investigators. Incidence of types of cancer among HIV-infected persons compared with the general population in the United States, 1992-2003. Ann Intern Med. 2008 May 20;148(10):728-36. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-148-10-200805200-00005.

    PubMed 18490686
  • Silverberg MJ, Chao C, Leyden WA, Xu L, Tang B, Horberg MA, Klein D, Quesenberry CP Jr, Towner WJ, Abrams DI. HIV infection and the risk of cancers with and without a known infectious cause. AIDS. 2009 Nov 13;23(17):2337-45. doi: 10.1097/QAD.0b013e3283319184.

    PubMed 19741479
  • Parkin DM, Bray F. Chapter 2: The burden of HPV-related cancers. Vaccine. 2006 Aug 31;24 Suppl 3:S3/11-25. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2006.05.111.

    PubMed 16949997
  • Crum-Cianflone NF, Hullsiek KH, Marconi VC, Ganesan A, Weintrob A, Barthel RV, Agan BK; Infectious Disease Clinical Research Program HIV Working Group. Anal cancers among HIV-infected persons: HAART is not slowing rising incidence. AIDS. 2010 Feb 20;24(4):535-43. doi: 10.1097/QAD.0b013e328331f6e2.

    PubMed 19926961
  • van Leeuwen MT, Vajdic CM, Middleton MG, McDonald AM, Law M, Kaldor JM, Grulich AE. Continuing declines in some but not all HIV-associated cancers in Australia after widespread use of antiretroviral therapy. AIDS. 2009 Oct 23;23(16):2183-90. doi: 10.1097/QAD.0b013e328331d384.

    PubMed 19734774
  • Piketty C, Selinger-Leneman H, Grabar S, Duvivier C, Bonmarchand M, Abramowitz L, Costagliola D, Mary-Krause M; FHDH-ANRS CO 4. Marked increase in the incidence of invasive anal cancer among HIV-infected patients despite treatment with combination antiretroviral therapy. AIDS. 2008 Jun 19;22(10):1203-11. doi: 10.1097/QAD.0b013e3283023f78.

    PubMed 18525266
  • Chiao EY, Krown SE, Stier EA, Schrag D. A population-based analysis of temporal trends in the incidence of squamous anal canal cancer in relation to the HIV epidemic. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2005 Dec 1;40(4):451-5. doi: 10.1097/01.qai.0000159669.80207.12.

    PubMed 16280701
  • Piketty C, Selinger-Leneman H, Bouvier AM, Belot A, Mary-Krause M, Duvivier C, Bonmarchand M, Abramowitz L, Costagliola D, Grabar S. Incidence of HIV-related anal cancer remains increased despite long-term combined antiretroviral treatment: results from the french hospital database on HIV. J Clin Oncol. 2012 Dec 10;30(35):4360-6. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2012.44.5486. Epub 2012 Oct 22.

    PubMed 23091098
  • Qualters JR, Lee NC, Smith RA, Aubert RE. Breast and cervical cancer surveillance, United States, 1973-1987. MMWR CDC Surveill Summ. 1992 Apr 24;41(2):1-7.

    PubMed 1594012
  • Public Health Agency of Canada. Available at: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/cd- mc/cancer/cervical_cancer_figures-cancer_du_col_uterus-eng.php. Accessed on: 28 July 2014.

  • de Ruiter A, Mindel A. Anal intraepithelial neoplasia. Eur J Cancer. 1991;27(11):1343-5. doi: 10.1016/0277-5379(91)90004-w. No abstract available.

    PubMed 1660290
  • Bjorge T, Engeland A, Luostarinen T, Mork J, Gislefoss RE, Jellum E, Koskela P, Lehtinen M, Pukkala E, Thoresen SO, Dillner J. Human papillomavirus infection as a risk factor for anal and perianal skin cancer in a prospective study. Br J Cancer. 2002 Jul 1;87(1):61-4. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6600350.

    PubMed 12085257
  • Watson AJ, Smith BB, Whitehead MR, Sykes PH, Frizelle FA. Malignant progression of anal intra-epithelial neoplasia. ANZ J Surg. 2006 Aug;76(8):715-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1445-2197.2006.03837.x.

    PubMed 16916390

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing The Hyfrecator ® 2000 Electrosurgical System and Observation Alone in people with Anal Dysplasia and Human Papillomavirus, run by University Health Network, Toronto at 4 sites in Canada.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 8 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: stopped early, as of the sponsor's last update on 13 Jun 2022. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 4 sites in Canada. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study was stopped early (reason given: Results from ANCHOR study showed benefit of Treatment over Surveillance in preventing anal cancer. That study was similar to the current one.). Results are not available in the source record.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Anal dysplasia treatment on a per-patient basis (time frame: Participants will be followed after post-treatment completion, an expected average of 6 months). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT02503111, which also lists 22 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 13 Jun 2022.

Free account

Keep searching with a free account

You’ve used your 3 free searches for this session. Log in or create a free AzTrials account to keep searching clinical trials and save the ones you want to follow.

Create a free accountLog in