Reducing the Health Burden of HPV Infection Through Vaccination

[摘要] Human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection andthe etiologic cause of genital warts and cervical cancer, ishighly prevalent in sexually active men and women. Althoughcervical screening procedures have significantly reduced thedisease burden associated with HPV infection, they are expensiveand abnormal results cause significant emotional distress.Therefore, prevention may be an effective strategy for reducingthe economic, psychosocial, and disease burden of HPV infection.Multivalent vaccines are now in clinical development. A bivalentvaccine that protects against HPV 16 and 18, and a quadrivalentvaccine which protects against HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18, havebeen shown to significantly reduce the occurrence of incident andpersistent HPV infections in phase 2 clinical trials; phase 3trials are currently underway. HPV vaccines will be most effectivewhen administered prior to initiation of sexual activity, andvaccination campaigns should aggressively target preadolescent andadolescent populations.

[学科分类] 妇产科学