Topical application of a dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor prevents anal carcinogenesis in a human papillomavirus mouse model of anal cancer.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the major risk factor for anal dysplasia that may progress to squamous cell carcinoma of the anus. We have previously shown that systemic administration of a PI3K/mTOR inhibitor (BEZ235), an autophagic inducer, results in decreased squamous cell carcinoma of the anus in our HPV mouse model. In this study, we investigate the effect of the local, topical application of a BEZ235 on tumor-free survival, histopathology, PI3K/mTOR, and autophagy.