Feasibility of Intravaginal Artesunate as Adjuvant HPV & Cervical Precancer Treatment Among Women Living With HIV in Kenya
The objective of this randomized, placebo-controlled trial is to evaluate whether intravaginal artesunate pessaries (vaginal inserts) can be used as adjuvant therapy following thermal ablation to improve Human papillomavirus (HPV) treatment outcomes in Women Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (WLWH). The study will evaluate whether women who use artesunate will have higher HPV clearance at 6 months, compared to those who used a placebo. The study will also assess the safety, adherence, and acceptability of this treatment. 120 participants will be enrolled in the study. Participants will self-administer the study drug nightly for 5 days, take a week off, and repeat twice (use study drug on weeks 1, 3,5) and will return to the clinic on weeks 2, 4, 6, 12, and week 24 for follow-up.
• Age 25 years or older
• Known HIV seropositive status
• On antiretroviral therapy for \> 90 days prior to enrollment
• Weight ≥50 Kg at study entry\*
• Positive HPV screening test and within 4-8 weeks of thermal ablation
• Ability to provide informed consent
• Planning to stay within the study locale during the duration of the study (24 weeks)
• Agreement to use contraception (barriers or hormonal) if of childbearing age through week 6 of the study