[Human papillomavirus prophylactic vaccine]

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Virology
• Immunology

Context:

• Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a major cause of various cancers, including cervical, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers.
• Cervical cancer incidence in Japan shows a concerning trend of younger onset.
• The development and global dissemination of HPV prophylactic vaccines followed extensive clinical trials.

Purpose:

• To review the clinical efficacy and impact of HPV vaccines based on existing literature.
• To highlight the role of HPV vaccines in preventing HPV-related diseases, with a focus on cervical cancer.

Summary:

• Clinical studies demonstrate high efficacy of HPV vaccines in preventing diseases associated with HPV types 16/18/6/11.
• The vaccines are particularly impactful in preventing cervical cancer, especially in younger populations.
• The quadrivalent HPV vaccine (Gardasil) has shown a population-level decrease in condyloma acuminata.

Impact:

• HPV vaccines offer a significant public health benefit by preventing viral-dependent cancers.
• The widespread use of HPV vaccines is expected to reduce the burden of HPV-related diseases globally.
• The review underscores the convincing clinical efficacy and positive impact of HPV vaccination.