Recent Concepts of Human Papillomavirus Vaccine

ABSTRACT

Two prophylactic human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines against types 6, 11, 16 and 18 have shown great promise in clinical trials with recent results demonstrating 100% efficacy against persistent HPV infection and development of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia up to five years of follow-up. Published data from the phase-IIb and III trials thus far indicate that the prophylactic HPV L1 virus-like particle vaccine is safe and well-tolerated. It offers HPV-naive women a very high level of protection against HPV persistent infection and cervical intraepithelial lesions associated with the types included in the vaccine. HPV vaccination should be also offered to girls before onset of sexual activity. But there are still questions about several issues of HPV prophylactic vaccination. Prolonged clinical trials should be performed for demonstration of these remaining questions. Finally, prophylactic vaccines against HPV will certainly reduce the incidence of the risk of developing cervical cancer.