title: Prevention and treatment of papillomavirus-related cancers through immunization.
abstract: Cervical and other anogenital cancers are initiated by infection with one of a small group of human papillomaviruses (HPV). Virus-like particle-based vaccines have recently been developed to prevent infection with two cancer-associated HPV genotypes (HPV16, HPV18) and have been ∼95% effective at preventing HPV-associated disease caused by these genotypes in virus-naive subjects. Although immunization induces virus-neutralizing antibody sufficient to prevent infection, persistence of antibody as measured by current assays does not appear necessary to maintain protection over time. Investigators have not identified a reliable surrogate immunological marker of protection against disease following immunization. The prophylactic vaccines are not therapeutic for existing infection. Trials of HPV-specific immunotherapy have shown some efficacy for existing disease, although animal modeling suggests that a combination of immunization and local enhancement of innate immunity may be necessary for optimal therapeutic outcome. HPV prophylactic vaccines are the first vaccines designed to prevent a human cancer and are the practical outcome of a global collaborative effort between basic and applied scientists, clinicians, and industry.
authors.affiliation: The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Australia. di.director@uq.edu.au
authors.forename: Ian H
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Frazer
authors.forename: Graham R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Leggatt
authors.forename: Stephen R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Mattarollo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D027383:Papillomaviridae; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines