Efficacy HPV vaccine in late 2014

Initial evaluation of the HPV 6, 11, 16, 18 vaccine showed about a 40% reduction in high-grade cervical dysplasia due to all virus genotypes among young women aged 16 to 23 years who were not yet sexually active. These results were obtained after 4 years of follow-up and were confirmed after an additional 3 years. Clinical assessment of the HPV 16, 18 vaccine yielded similar results. The interval between initial HPV infection and diagnosis of cervical cancer seems to be at least 20 years. Comparisons of vaccinated and unvaccinated cohorts are consistent with the results of clinical trials, but follow-up is still too short because most of the women studied have not reached the age at which the incidence of high-grade dysplasia peaks. The available evidence shows no replacement of HPV vaccine genotypes by other highly oncogenic genotypes but, once again, follow-up is relatively short. In late 2014, follow-up is still too short to show whether HPV vaccination prevents cervical cancer in young women before they become sexually active. Earlier clinical trials showing efficacy in preventing high-grade dysplasia have not been challenged by epidemiological data. Overall, it will be several more years before conclusive evidence is obtained. In 2015, screening remains the cornerstone for reducing the incidence of invasive cervical cancer.