Reduced-Dose HPV Vaccination - Implications for Cancer Prevention Policy

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs), of which there are over 200 types, typically infect cells of the skin and mucosa. Most infections are cleared by the immune system without any intervention; however, in a small percentage of infected individuals, the virus persists, resulting in a variety of disorders. More specifically, 13 HPV types have been characterized as oncogenic because of their central role in the development of premalignant and malignant lesions of the oropharynx (mouth and throat), lower gastrointestinal tract (anus), and genital organs (uterine cervix, vagina, vulva, and penis). Worldwide, HPV infections contribute to approximately 5% of all cancers, with an estimated 625,000 women and 69,000 men affected annually by HPV-related cancers.