Feasibility of Self-Administered, Intravaginal Therapies for Cervical Precancer Treatment in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Speaker

Chemtai Mungo, M.D., M.P.H.
Assistant Professor
Obstetrics and Gynecology
University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill

Date of presentation: Wednesday, May 29, 2024 | 12pm EST

Dr. Chemtai Mungo is an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. She received her medical degree from the University of California San Francisco where she graduated with Distinction in Clinical and Translational Research. She also holds a Master’s in Public Health from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. Dr. Mungo was born and raised in Kenya and is passionate about using research to pursue equity in global women's health. Her research is focused on secondary prevention of cervical cancer in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), specifically investigating the feasibility of topical, self-administered therapies for cervical precancer treatment. Dr. Mungo was awarded the ASCO Young Investigator Award in 2021, and in 2022, was awarded an American Association Cancer Research (AACR) Global Fund for Women’s Cancers Career Development Award and the Gilead HIV Scholars Award. The UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and the National Cancer Institute also support her work.

Abstract:
In 2020, cervical cancer resulted in over 600,000 deaths worldwide, despite being largely preventable through vaccination and screening. The disease primarily impacts women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), who represent 85% of the cases and 90% of the deaths. To combat this, the World Health Organization initiated the '90/70/90' strategy in 2018, aiming for 90% HPV vaccination, 70% screening, and 90% treatment rates by 2030. Achieving these targets could avert 74 million cases and 62 million deaths in LMICs. Recent advancements like effective single-dose HPV vaccines and HPV self-sampling have expanded screening capabilities. However, challenges remain in treating cervical precancer due to the lack of skilled healthcare providers and necessary infrastructure. Dr. Mungo is exploring the feasibility of self-administered intravaginal therapies for cervical precancer treatment in LMICs, which could significantly improve access to treatment in these regions, which maybe transformative in increasing access to precancer treatment and hence reducing global cervical cancer mortality.

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