New vaccines for prevention of HPV infection

Chan Ka-Man¹, Stephen Lo Tsui-Hoi², Lawrence Wong Sou-Him³ and Daniel Tam Chuen-Chu³

¹Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong
²Department of Pathology, Princess Margaret Hospital
³PHC Genepath Molecular Diagnostic Centre Limited

Cervical cancer, which is caused by a sexually transmitted human papillomaviruses (HPV), is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in women worldwide. In addition to cervical cancer, HPV is also a causative factor for vaginal cancer, vulvar cancer and anal cancer. Therefore, HPV is threatening the health of women in the world. In fact, different cytological screening tests have been launched to reduce the incidences of invasive cervical cancer in many countries. However, the sensitivity of those tests is relatively low and the cost effectiveness in repeat testing for indeterminate cases is debatable. The detection of HPV DNA is more sensitive than cytology for the detection of cervical cancer, therefore, it is recommended as an adjunctive test for cases with equivocal cytology. However, the methods for the diagnosis of cervical cancer cannot offer sufficient protection to women, as a result, the development of prophylactic HPV vaccines becomes a superior way in preventing HPV infections in human. Two drug companies, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Merck, have developed HPV vaccines that offer protection against several HPV subtypes and help to prevent cervical cancer and genital warts. In Hong Kong, the licensure of these vaccines has recently been granted for clinical use. Perhaps, through the comprehensive application of the vaccines to the population, we can optimistically anticipated that the health condition of Hong Kong women against cervical cancer and some HPV-related diseases will be greatly improved.

Keywords: Human papillomavirus, vaccines, cervical cancer, prevention.

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