Study of the Prevention of Anal Cancer (SPANC)

November 28, 2019 updated by: Kirby Institute

The Natural History of Anal Human Papillomavirus Infection and Anal Cellular Abnormalities in Homosexual Men

SPANC stands for Study of the Prevention of Anal Cancer. There are more than 100 types of human papillomavirus (HPV). Some HPV types cause genital warts and other types cause more than 90% of anal cancer.

Gay men are over 20 times more likely than others to develop anal cancer.

SPANC is a study of anal (HPV) infection and related anal disease in gay men. The study will provide important information to guide the possible future introduction of anal cancer screening programs for gay men.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Study title: The natural history of anal human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and anal cellular abnormalities in homosexual men.

Protocol version: 7, dated 1 September 2013. Approved by Ethics Committee on 24th October, 2013

Objectives: Among homosexual men aged 35 years or above to determine:

  1. Prevalence, incidence and risk factors for specific types of HPV infection.
  2. Prevalence, incidence and risk factors for histologically confirmed anal low grade and high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL and HSIL).
  3. Type-specific rates of clearance and persistence of anal HPV infection.
  4. Rates of disease progression, regression and predictors in the spectrum of anal dysplasia.
  5. Psychosocial/quality of life impact of anal cytology screening in homosexual men.

Study results will be used to inform possible development of guidelines for carrying out an anal cancer screening program in this population.

The study design is a prospective longitudinal design. Upon enrolment, participants will be followed up for three years to allow the study of both prevalence and incidence of HPV infection and related conditions.

Planned sample size: 600 homosexual men will be screened and enrolled from community based settings in Sydney, Australia.

The inclusion criteria are:

  • male homosexual aged 35 years or above;
  • HIV positive participants: documented to be HIV positive;
  • HIV negative participants: tested HIV negative at recruitment; provision of informed, written consent.

The exclusion criteria are:

  • participants unable to attend scheduled follow-up interviews or unwilling to undergo high resolution anoscopies (HRA);
  • unable to understand English;
  • having bleeding disorders or currently taking anti-anticoagulant medications; *having previously received HRA;
  • having ever been diagnosed with anal cancer.

Study procedures:

  • At baseline, all men will undergo a behavioural questionnaire, and anal swabs which will be tested for HPV and cytology.
  • An HRA will also be performed on all men.
  • Blood will be collected for HIV testing for HIV negative participants, syphilis and storage. Participants will be followed up for three years with one six-monthly visits in the first year and then annually. A 6th study visit to discuss all study results will take place 2-3 months after the 5th study visit. A behavioural questionnaire, blood collection (except at six month); an anal swab and HRA will be administered at all follow up interviews.

The SPANC study is a prospective cohort study of the national history of anal human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and anal cellular abnormalities in homosexual men aged 35 years and above in Sydney. It is expected that the study results will be influential in the possible development of an anal cancer screening program in high-risk populations. Data on the natural history of anal HPV infection in homosexual men recruited from community-based settings are rare. We aim to recruit a total of 600 men, 360 HIV-negative and 240 HIV-positive. This will make the SPANC study one of the biggest ongoing anal HPV natural history study in the world to provide critical data on the incidence and clearance of anal HPV infection, progression and regression of pre-cancerous HPV associated anal lesions, the potential psychological impact on men who participate anal cancer screening programs, and the cost-effectiveness of rolling out these programs.

Statistical considerations: Sample size calculation: Assuming the incidence of HSIL is 5 and 15 per cent 100 person-years in HIV negative and HIV positive men, respectively, the 95% confidence intervals will be 4.2-6.0 in the HIV negative arm and 12.6-17.8 per 100 person-years in the HIV positive arm. Analysis plan: HPV prevalence and incidence, including overall, low risk, high risk and individual types, will be calculated according to participant's HIV status. Prevalence and incidence of LSIL and HISL will be calculated in the same fashion. Clearance and persistence of HPV infection, and progression and regression of HSIL will also be determined. Risk factors for prevalent HPV infection and LSIL and HSIL will be analysed using logistical regression. Risk factors for incident conditions will be analysed using Cox regression.

Duration of the study: The study will take place from 13/September/2010 to 21/Dec/2018. Participants will be recruited from 2010 to 2015 and followed up for three years.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

617

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Australia
    • New South Wales
      • Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 2050
        • RPA Sexual Health, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown
      • Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 2010
        • Applied Medical Research (AMR CRP), St. Vincent's Hospital

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

35 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Genders Eligible for Study

Male

Description

Inclusion Criteria: Male homosexual aged 35 years or above; HIV positive participants: documented to be HIV positive; HIV negative participants: tested HIV negative at recruitment; provision of informed, written consent.

-

Exclusion Criteria: participants unable to attend scheduled follow-up interviews or unwilling to undergo high resolution anoscopies (HRA); unable to understand English; having bleeding disorders or currently taking anti-coagulant medications; having previously received HRA; having ever been diagnosed with anal cancer.

-

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Prevention
  • Allocation: Non-Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Other: HIV positive homosexual men

Therefore, it is proposed we conduct a longitudinal study of the epidemiology of low risk and high risk HPV infection and related low grade and high grade anal cancers in HIV negative and HIV positive homosexual men who are 35 years or older. Participants are asked questions about recent experiences of anal intercourse in the last six months.

At baseline, all men (both HIV positive and HIV negative)will undergo a behavioural questionnaire, and anal swabs which will be tested for HPV and cytology. An HRA will also be performed on all men. Blood will be collected for HIV testing for HIV negative participants, syphilis and storage. Participants will be followed up for three years with one six-monthly visit in the first year then annually. A 6th study visit to discuss all study results will take place 2-3 months after the 5th study visit. A behavioural questionnaire, an anal swab, and HRA will be administered at all follow up interviews.
Procedure: Participants asked questions about recent experiences of anal intercourse in the last six months.

Therefore, it is proposed we conduct a longitudinal study of the epidemiology of low risk and high risk HPV infection and related low grade and high grade anal cancers in HIV negative and HIV positive homosexual men who are 35 years or older. Participants are asked questions about recent experiences of anal intercourse in the last six months.

At baseline, all men (both HIV positive and HIV negative)will undergo a behavioural questionnaire, and anal swabs which will be tested for HPV and cytology. An HRA will also be performed on all men. Blood will be collected for HIV testing for HIV negative participants, syphilis and storage. Participants will be followed up for three years with one six-monthly visit in the first year then annually. A 6th study visit to discuss all study results will take place 2-3 months after the 5th study visit. A behavioural questionnaire, an anal swab, and HRA will be administered at all follow up interviews.

Other Names:
  • Participants have venepuncture, anal swab and examination under microscope .
Procedure: High Resolution Anoscopy
The HRA is performed on HIV positive and HIV negative participants by study doctor after an examination of the perianal region and perineum. The plastic anoscope is inserted into the anal canal and visualised under high resolution magnification. Biopsy samples will be taken by the clinician for histological assessment if there are any detected abnormalities.
Other Names:
  • HRA
Other: HIV negative homosexual men

Therefore, it is proposed we conduct a longitudinal study of the epidemiology of low risk and high risk HPV infection and related low grade and high grade anal cancers in HIV negative and HIV positive homosexual men who are 35 years or older. Participants are asked questions about recent experiences of anal intercourse in the last six months.

At baseline, all men (both HIV positive and HIV negative)will undergo a behavioural questionnaire, and anal swabs which will be tested for HPV and cytology. An HRA will also be performed on all men. Blood will be collected for HIV testing for HIV negative participants, syphilis and storage. Participants will be followed up for three years with one six-monthly visit in the first year then annually. A 6th study visit to discuss all study results will take place 2-3 months after the 5th study visit. A behavioural questionnaire, an anal swab, and HRA will be administered at all follow up interviews.
Procedure: Participants asked questions about recent experiences of anal intercourse in the last six months.

Therefore, it is proposed we conduct a longitudinal study of the epidemiology of low risk and high risk HPV infection and related low grade and high grade anal cancers in HIV negative and HIV positive homosexual men who are 35 years or older. Participants are asked questions about recent experiences of anal intercourse in the last six months.

At baseline, all men (both HIV positive and HIV negative)will undergo a behavioural questionnaire, and anal swabs which will be tested for HPV and cytology. An HRA will also be performed on all men. Blood will be collected for HIV testing for HIV negative participants, syphilis and storage. Participants will be followed up for three years with one six-monthly visit in the first year then annually. A 6th study visit to discuss all study results will take place 2-3 months after the 5th study visit. A behavioural questionnaire, an anal swab, and HRA will be administered at all follow up interviews.

Other Names:
  • Participants have venepuncture, anal swab and examination under microscope .
Procedure: High Resolution Anoscopy
The HRA is performed on HIV positive and HIV negative participants by study doctor after an examination of the perianal region and perineum. The plastic anoscope is inserted into the anal canal and visualised under high resolution magnification. Biopsy samples will be taken by the clinician for histological assessment if there are any detected abnormalities.
Other Names:
  • HRA

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
A natural history study to inform the potential usefulness of a cytology/HPV/HRA based screening program
Time Frame: 3 year cohort study
Aims to determine the prevalence, incidence and risk factors for type-specific HPV (37 types)
3 year cohort study

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Prevalence, incidence and risk factors for LSIL and HSIL
Time Frame: 3 year cohort study
To determine if HPV is associated with LSIL and HSIL
3 year cohort study

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Kirby Institute

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Carmella Law, MBBS; FAChSHM;, Appplied Medical Research, the Clinical Research Program at St. Vincent's Hospital
  • Principal Investigator: David Templeton, MBChB; PhD;, RPA Sexual Health, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Helpful Links

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

September 10, 2010

Primary Completion (Actual)

May 4, 2018

Study Completion (Actual)

December 4, 2018

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

November 26, 2013

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

December 5, 2013

First Posted (Estimate)

December 10, 2013

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

December 2, 2019

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

November 28, 2019

Last Verified

November 1, 2019

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

  • SPANC
  • NHMRC (Other Grant/Funding Number: NRMRC)

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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