Relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) can be treated with numerous disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) that can slow both relapse rates and disease progression. All these treatments work by modulating the immune system, but in different ways. Treatment in MS is often started at a young age and continued for decades or even life-long. This long-term action on the immune response may predispose individuals to a higher risk of infections.  Â
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the world, with 80% of women being affected at some point in their life. Persistent infection of the cervix can result in the development of abnormal cells and cervical cancer. This process can take decades to develop.  Â
This multi-centre, national study aims to determine if exposure to DMTs in women with MS increases the risk of HPV infection, cervical cell abnormalities, and cervical cancer. The team will achieve this by linking MS disease information from the MSBase Registry with the National Cervical Cancer Registry and the Australian Immunisation Registry. The results have the potential to change the way that women with MS are screened for cervical cancers and to provide evidence that HPV-vaccination should be provided to all women with MS.  Â
Professor van der Walt and her team are continuing work on this national study, with all research sites now active and participant recruitment underway. Since the start of the project, the team has established site agreements, obtained ethics approvals, and commenced recruitment across multiple centres. Â
During the study, changes to data access requirements from the National Cancer Screening Registry meant that additional participant consent was required. This resulted in a temporary pause to recruitment while the study protocol and consent processes were updated. These requirements have now been addressed, with new consent materials approved and an electronic re-consent process introduced to make it easier for participants to take part. Â
To date, hundreds of participants have provided consent using the updated process, and additional participants have been identified for re-consenting. Recruitment is ongoing, with the team now focused on completing re-consent across all sites. Â
Once recruitment and re-consent are complete, the researchers will link MS clinical data with cervical screening and vaccination data to enable analysis of the relationship between MS treatments, HPV infection, and cervical abnormalities. Â
Despite the delays, the study remains on track, with a clear plan in place to complete recruitment by mid-2026 and analysis by 2027. These findings are expected to provide important insights into whether women with MS are at increased risk of cervical changes and whether screening or vaccination strategies should be adjusted to better support this population.Â
Bridge F, Brotherton JML, Foong Y, Butzkueven H, Jokubaitis VG, Van der Walt A. Risk of cervical pre-cancer and cancer in women with multiple sclerosis exposed to high efficacy disease modifying therapies. Front Neurol. 2023Feb 10;14:1119660. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1119660.
Updated 31 March 2026
$249,000
2022
4 years
Current project
