Pharma booklet labels for a widely-used HIV drug could soon also reflect its effectiveness for the prevention of a certain type of cancer.

The human papilloma virus (HPV) can cause warts and benign lumps, but it can also lead to cancers of the cervix in women.

According to a study by scientists in Canada and at the University of Manchester, the antiviral drug lopinavir has been found to attack HPV by switching on a defence system in infected cells before they can become fully cancerous.

Dr Ian Hampson from Manchester's School of Cancer and Enabling Science called the discovery very significant, as it could result in a cream or pessary to kill the virus and prevent cancer cases.

"We have now found that lopinavir selectively kills HPV-infected, non-cancerous cells, while leaving healthy cells relatively unaffected," he commented.

HPV-related cervical cancer is now more than twice as common as ordinary cervical cancer in the UK.

Denny Bros Ltd, 04 May 2011