title: HPV vaccines to prevent cervical cancer and genital warts: an update.
abstract: Cervical cancer is an important public health problem worldwide, and especially in developing countries. The link between cervical cancer and oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has been clearly established. Furthermore, non-oncogenic HPV are responsible for the majority of genital warts. Two prophylactic HPV vaccines are available, which have the potential of considerably reducing HPV-related morbidity and mortality. Both vaccines are based on virus-like particles of the L1 capsid protein, and are highly efficacious and immunogenic if given before exposure to HPV, i.e. to adolescent girls between 9 and 13 years of age in a three-dose schedule. This review describes the immunology of natural HPV infections and the immune response evoked through vaccination. The current duration of protection is 8.4 years with the bivalent vaccine (HPV16/18) and 5 years with the quadrivalent vaccine (HPV6/11/16/18). Research is on-going to evaluate the efficacy of the current vaccines in a two-dose schedule, as compared to the recommended three-dose schedule. To increase the protection, the development and testing of a nine-valent prophylactic HPV vaccine (HPV6/11/16/18/31/33/45/52/58) is being undertaken. Research is also directed towards therapeutic vaccines and the development of a prophylactic L2 vaccine.
authors.affiliation: Network for Education and Support in Immunisation, Department of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Antwerp, Campus Drie Eiken, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium. Electronic address: carine.dochez@uantwerpen.be.
authors.forename: Carine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dochez
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, University of Antwerp, Middelheimcampus, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium; International Centre for Reproductive Health, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Johannes J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Bogers
authors.affiliation: Network for Education and Support in Immunisation, Department of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Antwerp, Campus Drie Eiken, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium; International Centre for Reproductive Health, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Verhelst
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Corner Esselen and Klein Streets, Hillbrow, 2038 Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rees
mesh_terms: D036022:Capsid Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003218:Condylomata Acuminata / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D008297:Male; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D027383:Papillomaviridae; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D014611:Vaccination / Q000639:trends
chemical_list: D036022:Capsid Proteins; C114580:HPV L1 protein, Human papillomavirus; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines
keywords: Cervical cancer; Genital warts; HPV vaccines; New developments