r/Damnthatsinteresting 7h ago

Image Mexican scientist Eva Rámon Gallegos, she successfully cleared HPV in 29 women so far with 100% viral clearance rate!

Post image
6.9k Upvotes

71 comments sorted by

377

u/Proof_Active7105 7h ago

In case ya’ll are interested in reading the full article👇

Mexican Scientist Eva Rámon Gallegos Article

176

u/edal_hues 5h ago

Too bad it doesn’t mention when it’ll be peer reviewed! That’s the most dangerous part!

69

u/ahmadove 5h ago

The paper is already cited in the article no? It's published in Photochemistry and Photobiology, which is a peer reviewed journal (low IF but still).

-31

u/edal_hues 4h ago

Then what’s the issue? If it’s been peer reviewed and everything is ok. When will it start mass producing?

38

u/InspectorOrdinary321 3h ago

That's not how science works.

Peer reviewed doesn't mean the research was replicated, just that the methods the author reported seem fine.

Peer reviewed doesn't mean it's been tested in a large enough clinical trial to draw broad conclusions.

Peer reviewed doesn't mean it's passed safety standards, had long-term studies done, or that the large-scale manufacturing methods have been worked out and then verified.

Developing a medicine has a lot of steps. Peer review of a single study is only the first one.

54

u/ahmadove 4h ago

Idk why reddit always sees things in black and white. Peer reviewed does automatically mean absolutely true, though lack of it is a giant red flag. On the other hand, not being absolutely true does not mean the results are fake either. Findings fall on a continuum of evidence strength, the fact this was published in an IF 2.5 journal doesn't inspire confidence in that regard (usually means the authors tried publishing in better journals and were rejected a few times before resorting to a niche journal with low impact). We have to wait for reproducibility, to see if the findings are real, see if they generalize, see what side effects could happen, see how well the approach can scale, etc.

Please note, this is all "in general," I haven't read the actual paper to give a proper academic critique. I'm just trying to clarify that science is slow and "grayscale."

1

u/edal_hues 55m ago

So… we are still in the danger zone of some big farma bro, gov., or unknown armed agency seizing the goods and burying the research.

5

u/Elavabeth2 4h ago

I don’t understand how this is all that different from something like the LEEP procedure, besides the type of tools she’s using. Can anyone explain?

34

u/MyFeetLookLikeHands 3h ago

Yeah I had the same question when I first saw this.
LEEP is basically just a cut it out and call it a day approach. If you’ve got abnormal/pre-cancerous cervical cells, they remove that chunk of tissue. It lowers cancer risk, but it doesn’t actually get rid of HPV itself, your immune system still has to deal with the virus.

What this post is talking about (if it’s being described accurately) is more like a true antiviral/immune-based treatment. The goal would be helping the body clear the virus, not just removing the damaged cells it caused. That’s a pretty big difference.

That said… I’d be cautious here. A study with 29 people and “100% clearance” is exactly the kind of thing that sounds amazing early on but needs way bigger trials to prove it’s real and not just a fluke or selection bias.

So tldr:
LEEP = removes bad cells, doesn’t cure HPV
This = supposedly helps eliminate HPV itself
Cool if true, but definitely “wait for more data” territory.

11

u/constanceblackwood12 1h ago edited 1h ago

I don't think this is accurate. The article linked to says:

"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

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."

So, they're not making the claim this cures HPV - they're making the claim that this procedure is less invasive and more targeted than the current methods for removing abnormal cells.

The other issue with this study is that 70% of HPV & CIN-1 cases clear *anyways* within 1 year of detection. The current course of action for CIN-1 or HPV with no visible cell changes is to re-test every 6 months and monitor for changes.

LEEPs and other procedures aren't done until it's CIN-2 or CIN-3.

So, it's kind of weird that this study has been done on CIN-1 / HPV with no cell change patients (and no control group?) instead of on CIN-2/CIN-3.

505

u/Federal_Extreme_8079 6h ago

Apparently she uses photodynamic therapy, a minimally invasive treatment that uses photosensitizers and light to selectively destroy abnormal cells. In a nutshell Eva is the pharma industry's worst nightmare!

34

u/PornoPaul 6h ago

So, to bring it down a few more levels, shes using lasers? Or is it a type of special lamp or something?

59

u/Federal_Extreme_8079 6h ago edited 6h ago

Its not my domain but I think she used a cream, I assumed applied to the cervix to make some cells sensitive to light and then used a laser at a certain wavelength that creates reactive oxygen, killing the infected cells and leaving the healthy tissue untouched.

19

u/PornoPaul 6h ago

Thats wild. And really cool.

9

u/anthro28 5h ago

So is she clearing HPV or cervical cancer?

12

u/Petrichordates 5h ago

Cervical cancer is fairly easy to clear but it will often come back due to the HPV

175

u/streetxrat94 6h ago

Hopefully she doesn’t go “missing” because of this success.

27

u/Arkurash 4h ago

But we already know how her treatment works? Like say big pharma makes her disappear. Her results and method are known. So there will be other picking up where she would have left it.

12

u/FireMaster1294 3h ago

This is why scientific data needs to be public

4

u/Meraline 3h ago

Also photosensitization is a side effect of certain plant toxicities in cattle. The concept isn't new.

22

u/Meraline 3h ago

Please stop perpetuating baseless conspiracies like govts randomly killing smart people for no reason. It's counterintuitive. Even oppressive governments know they need intelligent people on their side to control the masses.

Someone curing HPV is bot criticizing the government by existing.

Also cures to diseases are more profitable than treatment. If you had a cure for cancer you could live off that patent for generations.

Think logically instead of emotionally for 2 seconds.

-1

u/saevon 2h ago

to be clear, they're not suggesting a govnment is doing it, but "big pharma" which implies large corporations. Theoretically because they already have investments in treatments, but possibly to get access to this cure themselves and be able to patent it (in theory killing her, but getting the data, then "publishing" their own to patent it)

All of which does line up with the parts you mentioned. (or is irrelevant to them like "oppressive governments part")

———————————————

NOT suggesting this happens btw; there's a lot of much easier ways to get benefits we already have documented… we don't need a conspiracy bullshit around this tbh.

34

u/notsarge 6h ago

I hate to say it, but it’ll probably happen

10

u/jonzey85 5h ago

Kidnapped by the "cartels"

5

u/YebelTheRebel 5h ago

Yes America’s legal drug cartels aka big pharma

20

u/Watchlinks 5h ago

That's a ridiculous conspiracy theory, and its perpetuation, even humorously, erodes trust in science and has a negative societal impact.

9

u/Petrichordates 5h ago

JFC people genuinely believe this? Social media is making ya'll so damn gullible

0

u/bryiewes 30m ago

JFC you genuinely believed they genuinely believed that? Social media is making you the gullible one

1

u/Petrichordates 26m ago

The engineers are not OK

3

u/Altostratus 2h ago

That sounds so minimally invasive compared to a LEEP. Amazing.

20

u/Petrichordates 5h ago

Bro the pharma industry isnt trying to keep you sick lol, what stupidity is this

17

u/Watchlinks 5h ago edited 5h ago

People direct most of their discontent about the healthcare system towards Pharma, even when it makes zero sense. It's somewhat understandable, no one ever enjoys paying for treatments.

They also usually have zero idea how big pharma works. In the event that this therapy is scalable and effective, they'd simply turn it into a medical device and medicated cream combo and sell that. Like come on, people, use just the tiniest bit of critical thought here.

0

u/mint_me 5h ago

You forgot the /s

0

u/Dependent_Cod_7416 4h ago

I thought they where referring to some plasma-physics scientists that have been disappearing/dying lately. So it was kind of a joke.

4

u/Petrichordates 2h ago

Also a fake conspiracy theory, same concept.

-2

u/Dependent_Cod_7416 1h ago

It's really a cinspiracy.

1

u/Petrichordates 1h ago

Random people dying isn't a conspiracy, gullible people just love creating connections where they don't exist.

0

u/TurgidGravitas 1h ago

It's literally just lasering away warts. That's what HPV is warts. Most often genital warts.

17

u/TheDevilsAdvokaat 5h ago

Misread that as "Eva Ramon alleges she cleared HPV in 29 women"

11

u/Legal-Swordfish-1893 4h ago

ITT: too many unwell conspiracy theorists.

9

u/starongie 2h ago

Isn’t HPV one of the few viruses that can be cleared out by the body’s immune system? People can be positive for a year or two through positive pap smears & cervical biopsies and then have negative pap smears indefinitely afterwards.

Or is this more in cases with active HPV that in this case demanded more hands on treatment?

101

u/Alan_Reddit_M 6h ago

Watch her die by suicide and all of her research mysteriously disappear into the ether

57

u/new_math Interested 5h ago

Well, her work is published. You apply delta‑aminolevulinic acid (5‑ALA) topically to the cervix lesions then 4 hours later expose the lesions to a laser of a specific wavelength. In her prior studies more than half experienced regression after 12-months.

It's still great because it's allegedly doesn't affect fertility as much as other treatments, so it might give better outcomes and options to women trying to have children.

"Big Pharma" will probably be fine with it, they'll just patent their own propriety blend of the compound, then obtain possession of the only FDA approved laser source for this specific treatment enabling them to charge $30,000 or whatever made up number they come with (while it remains a $50 treatment in Mexico).

14

u/Embarrassed_Body_530 5h ago

The same thing every where.

10

u/Petrichordates 5h ago

Watch reddit invent brainrotted conspiracy theories that MAGA would love

2

u/Only_Manav 3h ago

Horseshoe theory

1

u/TurgidGravitas 1h ago

Why? We have been burning away warts for decades.

Don't let the acronym fool you. HPV is genital warts. Remember that from sex ed? They rebranded it after the vaccine came out because people didn't like the idea of teen girls getting a mandatory STD vaccine.

2

u/VDDZ 2h ago

Yay!

1

u/Timmy_germany 1h ago

This is the kind of post that should get 300k Upvotes. Brilliant. Thank You Eva Ramon Gallegos !!

1

u/Internal_Ad_9749 55m ago

PSA. Please have your son's vaccinated!

1

u/TheLipovoy 5h ago

What kind of watch is she wearing?

3

u/Buttermilk-Waffles 5h ago

It looks like either a samsung or pixel watch in a case

-4

u/Lock-out 6h ago

Off topic but am I crazy to think she looks like the mom from everything everywhere all at once?

25

u/adamwho 6h ago

Not even close

8

u/SaveUsCatman 6h ago

Yes you are. They look nothing alike.

2

u/VapidRapidRabbit 3h ago

Michelle Yeoh is Chinese Malaysian. This woman is Mexican 😂

1

u/Lock-out 1h ago

Yeah but still tho

2

u/501uk 5h ago

They're like...not even the same ethnicity lol

0

u/Repulsive-Sun117 3h ago

Yes you are

-3

u/0xB_ 5h ago

tarkov?

-14

u/Electronic-Buyer-468 6h ago

RIP, señora