Current Research

Research for anal cancer is ongoing. The following advances may still be under investigation in clinical trials and may not be approved or available at this time. Always discuss all diagnostic and treatment options with your doctor.

Radiosensitizers. Drugs that make tumor cells more susceptible to radiation therapy are being explored as a way to enhance the effectiveness of radiation therapy.

HPV vaccines. Because most cases of anal cancer are likely caused by HPV, an HPV vaccine could potentially prevent many cases of anal cancer from occurring. Currently, an HPV vaccine has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to prevent infection by the most common HPV strains that cause cervical cancer for girls and women between ages 9 and 26.

Anal cytology. Similar to a Pap test, anal cytology looks for abnormal cells in the anal lining. This test may help find anal cancer at the earliest, most treatable stages.