Microwave treatment for anogenital disease (MiTAG)

The primary objective of the project is to explore the feasibility of a new treatment for cervical precancerous disease and genital warts by designing new applicators and repurposing an existing product used to treat verrucas. All three diseases are caused by infection with human papillomaviruses (HPV) but differ in the exact type of HPV involved. The objective will be met through a combination of experiments, analysis and developing the hypothesis of how microwaves interact with HPV-associated lesions in a therapeutic manner. This innovative approach to treating HPV-associated disease needs preclinical work before ethical approval could be sought for an in-human trial. The subsequent product will treat the HPV disease rather than removing the affected tissues which will be less invasive and could reduce reinfection. There is substantial scope for other application areas that involve HPV infections in and on the body e.g. oral lesions and other pre-cancerous infections. Emblation will assess the business models needed to fully commercialise this new application in UK, EU and US markets. The feasibility of the new applicators will be made through discussions with clinicians, patients and technical interface analysis.