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The first vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV), which can trigger cervical cancer, came out five years ago. There are good news on this score. And also a new controversy.
First, the good news: a new study (see link below) published this month in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute suggests that two doses of the HPV16/18 vaccine, and maybe even one dose, are as protective as three doses. This means a lot for those women living in developing countries. Vaccination against HPV is not only very expensive, but also a lengthy process. The protocol is three shots over six months, which makes the adhesion more difficult: there is a big drop-off as young girls fail to turn up for the second or third shot of the vaccine. Adding to this the price of the HPV vaccine - it runs more than 100 USD a dose - makes easier to understand the huge importance to those living in poor countries.
According to the first global review (see link below) from the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation published last September, around 2 million women are developing breast or cervical cancer every year and warns that the diseases could soon approach and even overtake deaths due to pregnancy and childbirth in the developing world. The study says global cervical cancer rates increased from 378,000 cases per year in 1980 to 454,000 cases per year in 2010 – a 0.6 percent annual increase rate. Cervical cancer death rates have been decreasing but the disease still killed 200,000 women in 2010, of whom 46,000 were aged 15 through 49 in developing countries. Even if cervical cancer cases are rising more slowly than breast cancer cases, developing countries bear the biggest burden with 76 percent of new cases. This new data shall play an important role on setting priorities for women’s health programs.
But about the HPV vaccine there is a new controversy. It came out this week: the Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices, which advises the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccine policies, has recommended routine vaccination of 11- and 12-year-old boys with Gardasil® (Merck & Co's vaccine against HPV). Vaccinations could start as early as age 9 and extend to 21-year-old men who weren't previously vaccinated. Boys aged 13-21 who have not been vaccinated should be given a catch-up dose of the vaccine. Men aged 22 through 26 may be vaccinated but the vaccine is not recommended for routine use. In the past, the CDC has said doctors are free to use the HPV vaccine in boys ages 9 to 24, but didn't recommend routine vaccination. The prior recommendations were based on evidence that the vaccine protects boys from genital warts. However, the new recommendations are based on studies showing that the vaccine helps to prevent cancers in boys as well - cancers of the head and neck, and the anus. In addition to providing a direct benefit to boys, the CDC hopes that immunizing boys against HPV will also reduce the infection risk for girls, by reducing the spread of the virus from males to females.
read more: Proof-of-Principle Evaluation of the Efficacy of Fewer Than Three Doses of a Bivalent HPV16/18 VaccineAccording to the first global review (see link below) from the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation published last September, around 2 million women are developing breast or cervical cancer every year and warns that the diseases could soon approach and even overtake deaths due to pregnancy and childbirth in the developing world. The study says global cervical cancer rates increased from 378,000 cases per year in 1980 to 454,000 cases per year in 2010 – a 0.6 percent annual increase rate. Cervical cancer death rates have been decreasing but the disease still killed 200,000 women in 2010, of whom 46,000 were aged 15 through 49 in developing countries. Even if cervical cancer cases are rising more slowly than breast cancer cases, developing countries bear the biggest burden with 76 percent of new cases. This new data shall play an important role on setting priorities for women’s health programs.
But about the HPV vaccine there is a new controversy. It came out this week: the Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices, which advises the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccine policies, has recommended routine vaccination of 11- and 12-year-old boys with Gardasil® (Merck & Co's vaccine against HPV). Vaccinations could start as early as age 9 and extend to 21-year-old men who weren't previously vaccinated. Boys aged 13-21 who have not been vaccinated should be given a catch-up dose of the vaccine. Men aged 22 through 26 may be vaccinated but the vaccine is not recommended for routine use. In the past, the CDC has said doctors are free to use the HPV vaccine in boys ages 9 to 24, but didn't recommend routine vaccination. The prior recommendations were based on evidence that the vaccine protects boys from genital warts. However, the new recommendations are based on studies showing that the vaccine helps to prevent cancers in boys as well - cancers of the head and neck, and the anus. In addition to providing a direct benefit to boys, the CDC hopes that immunizing boys against HPV will also reduce the infection risk for girls, by reducing the spread of the virus from males to females.
read more: The Challenge Ahead: Progress and Setbacks in Breast and Cervical Cancer
read more: Panel Endorses HPV Vaccine for Boys of 11
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