Public attention has been focused on COVID-19 vaccines, yet remarkable progress continues in the field of immunotherapy for women’s health—particularly for the prevention and treatment of cervical precancerous disease known as cervical dysplasia. A promising development comes from Inovio Pharmaceuticals, whose DNA-based vaccine VGX-3100 represents the first non-surgical immune therapy designed to treat cervical dysplasia caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Prior efforts were just on vaccinating against HPV acquisition. Those vaccines are for men and women, this focuses on women,
Cervical dysplasia, if left untreated, can progress to cervical cancer. Traditionally, treatment has required surgical procedures such as LEEP or cone biopsy, which remove abnormal tissue but can lead to bleeding, infection, and a weakened cervix risking future pregnancy complications. A vaccine-based therapy could eliminate the need for these invasive treatments.
Gardasil Vaccine Prevents infection, New treatments prevents HPV from causing cancer
Earlier studies demonstrated VGX-3100, delivered as three injections over three months, stimulated the patient’s own immune system to recognize and destroy HPV-infected cells. This approach treats the dysplasia, but also targets the root cause—the viral infection itself. In clinical trials, approximately 50% of women experienced complete regression of high-grade dysplasia.
Recent evidence suggests the dosing schedule may be further simplified. Newer data presented in 2024 indicate that a single injection of VGX-3100 may produce comparable immune activation and regression rates to the original three-dose series. If confirmed in ongoing analyses, this would mark a significant advance in women’s health—allowing for effective, non-surgical management of cervical precancer with just one office visit.
A one-shot immune therapy could minimize the anxiety, discomfort, and logistical barriers that have long accompanied the management of cervical dysplasia. By potentially replacing surgical excision, this therapy could preserve cervical integrity, reduce complications, and make care more accessible to women globally.
Inovio’s VGX-3100 program, known as the REVEAL studies, has advanced through multiple clinical phases and continues to show encouraging results. The immunotherapy works by introducing synthetic DNA encoding for HPV-16 and HPV-18 antigens, training the immune system to recognize and eliminate infected cells. This mechanism represents a true precision approach—addressing HPV-related disease at its source rather than simply removing damaged tissue.
Non-Surgical Treatments Maybe the Safest
VGX-3100 could become the first FDA-approved non-surgical treatment for high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 2/3). For patients, that means a future where a single injection could prevent the need for excisional procedures, lower recurrence risk, and reduce cervical cancer progression worldwide.
The future of women’s health is moving toward immune-based, minimally invasive care. We suggest fewer pap smears, you may be able to have HPV protection from one Gardasil instead of three, and self-testing pap smears make screening for precancerous changes even more accurate. With technologies like VGX-3100, we are witnessing the transition from cutting disease out to teaching the body to heal itself.
References:
- Inovio Pharmaceuticals Press Release, 2024.
- Bloomberg Health Report, June 26, 2019.
- Trimble C. et al., The Lancet, 2015; “Immunotherapy for HPV-Related Cervical Disease.”
- Harper D.M. et al., Vaccine, 2023; “Advances in DNA Vaccination for HPV-Associated Dysplasia.”
