Vaccinesagainst human papillomavirus (HPV) are already available for use. There are twoof them: bivalent, that provokes immunity against oncogenic types 16 and 18, themost involved in anogenital and oropharyngeal carcinomas, and the quadrivalent,that includes these types and the non-oncogenic types 6 and 11, responsible formost of anogenital warts. They are indicated for women from 10 to 25 years old,before sexual life beginning or to those that did not have been infected withHPV types of the vaccines. These vaccines have no therapeutic effects againstpre-existing HPV infections and HPV-associated lesions. They can be used in immunosuppressedpersons, in those who are breast feeding, but are contra-indicated during pregnancy.Their use in males, with the same indications, is already approved by the north-americanFDA (Food and Drugs Administration), but not yet by ANVISA (Agência Nacionalde Vigilância Sanitária), the correspondent Brazilian governmentalagency. For those infected by vaccines enrolled viral types, therapeutic vaccines,nowadays in test in several controlled trials, remain a hope for a future effectivetreatment.
