Human Papilloma Virus Vaccines: Implications for use in developing world

Abstract

Cervical cancer may be substantially prevented by human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. The two most common oncogenic HPV types causing 70% of all cervical cancers are represented in the vaccines by synthetic virus-like particles to the L1 protein of HPV 16 and 18. The virus-like particles and adjuvant systems promote long-term antibody response. Invasive cervical cancer (ICC) is the second most common cancer among women worldwide. Approximately 85% of the disease burden is seen in women in developing nations. India with its highest share of global burden of cervical cancer has to implement a population based cervical cancer control program to reduce the number of deaths. Development of effective vaccines against human papillomavirus, the necessary cause of cervical cancer, has introduced a fresh lease of life to the cervical cancer control strategies. Vaccination programs targeted to a large age range of women will achieve cervical cancer reductions several decades from now.