Mexican Scientist Eva Ramón Gallegos Achieves Breakthrough in Non‑invasive HPV Eradication
A pioneering study led by Dr. Eva Ramón Gallegos, a biomedical scientist at Mexico’s Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), has yielded promising results in the fight against the human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes nearly 99% of cervical cancer cases worldwide.
Photodynamic Therapy Shows High HPV Clearance in Small-Scale Study
Employing a non‑invasive technique known as photodynamic therapy (PDT), Dr. Ramón Gallegos and her team reported HPV elimination in a cohort of 29 women from Mexico City with HPV and/or low-grade cervical lesions (CIN I). Six months after treatment, HPV infection was eradicated in 100% of the patients, accompanied by partial regression of premalignant lesions: 64.3% resolution in CIN I patients with HPV, and 57.2% resolution in CIN I without HPV [PubMed].
This technique uses delta‑aminolevulinic acid (5‑ALA) applied topically to the cervix. After roughly four hours, it converts into a light-sensitive compound called protoporphyrin IX, which accumulates preferentially in abnormal cells. When exposed to a specific laser wavelength, it generates reactive oxygen species that destroy infected cells while preserving healthy tissue [Jessica H. K. (n.d.)].
Past Research Supports Current Findings
Dr. Ramón Gallegos is no stranger to the method. A 2017 clinical trial involving approximately 30 Mexican women (with HPV‑16, HPV‑18, and/or CIN I) found HPV eradication in 80% of HPV‑only patients, and 83% of those with HPV plus CIN I. At 12‑month follow‑up, 57% exhibited CIN I regression, though this latter result did not reach statistical significance [PubMed].
Her research builds on decades of work at IPN, including efforts involving over 400 women across Mexico City, Oaxaca, and Veracruz, achieving similar HPV clearance rates with earlier PDT protocols [Palmer, B. (2019, February 12)].
A Promising, Fertility‑Preserving Alternative
Unlike conventional treatments such as excisional surgery or cryotherapy—procedures that can compromise cervical integrity and fertility—photodynamic therapy is minimally invasive and maintains the cervical structure. Its safety profile and selective targeting of abnormal cells make it especially appealing.
Moreover, the 2025 preliminary findings (29‑patient study) underline its potential: HPV clearance without harming healthy tissue, an encouraging sign in the search for more precise, fertility-sparing interventions.
Caveats and Next Steps
While these results are compelling, it’s important to recognize limitations:
Small sample sizes (29 in the latest study; ~30 in the previous trial) leave room for uncertainty in extrapolating outcomes.
Many of the findings, including the recent 29‑patient study, await peer-reviewed publication.
Long‑term effectiveness—including sustained HPV clearance and prevention of recurrence—has yet to be fully established.
The scientific community emphasizes the need for larger randomized controlled trials to confirm efficacy and safety, assess durability of response, and compare PDT outcomes with current standard-of-care treatments.
Impact—If Confirmed
If validated in future studies, Dr. Ramón Gallegos’ photodynamic therapy could be a game‑changer in global women's health—offering a non‑invasive, effective, and fertility-friendly option for HPV eradication. Given that HPV is extremely common (affecting 80–90% of people at some point), and cervical cancer remains a leading cause of female cancer death in low‑ and middle‑income countries, this technique holds transformative potential.
ReferencesElimination of HPV and cervical lesions via photodynamic therapy in 29 women; 100% HPV clearance after 6 months, with lesion regression rates Cancer Health+7PubMed+7jessicahk.com+7.2017 study involving ~30 women using 5‑ALA PDT; HPV clearance and CIN I regression outcomes PubMed+1.Reporting on Dr. Ramón Gallegos’ 20+ years of PDT research, method using delta‑aminolevulinic acid, and a new study in 29 women showing high preliminary clearance ResearchGate+5jessicahk.com+5BELatina+5.Earlier larger sample work (420+ women) and past achievements Snopeskvue.com.
