High-risk Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Research Articles

Characterization of a triple-type chimeric vaccine against human papillomavirus types 18, 45, and 59

Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types can lead to the development of cancer in HPV-infected tissues, including the cervix, oropharynx, anus, penis, vagina, and vulva. While current HPV vaccines cover approximately 90 % of cervical cancers, nearly 10 % of cases associated with HPV types not included in the vaccines remain unaddressed, notably HPV59. This study describes the development of a chimeric virus-like particle (VLP) targeting HPV18/45/59, proposed as a vaccine candidate for high-risk HPV type (HPV59) currently lacking commercial vaccines. Given that the majority of neutralizing antibody epitopes are located on the surface loops, we engineered a strategic swap of these loops between the closely related HPV18 and HPV45. This methodology was then extended to incorporate surface loops of HPV59, resulting in the lead candidate construct of the H18-45BCEF-59HI chimeric VLP with two surface loops swapping from HPV45 to HPV18. Characterization confirmed that H18-45BCEF-59HI closely resembled the wild-type (WT) backbone types in particle size and morphology, as verified by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), High-Performance Size-Exclusion Chromatography (HPSEC), and Analytical Ultracentrifugation (AUC), and demonstrated similar thermal stability as evidenced by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Immunization studies in mice with the chimeric VLPs assessed their immunogenicity, revealing that the H18-45EF-59HI chimeric VLP exhibited optimal cross-neutralization. Additionally, when produced in a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-like facility, the H18-45BCEF-59HI VLP was selected as a promising vaccine candidate for the prevention of HPV18/45/59 infection. This study not only offers a potential solution to the current vaccination gap but also provides a foundational approach for the design of vaccines targeting viruses with multiple subtypes or variants.

The prevalence and genotype distribution of high-risk human papillomaviruses among women in Xianning, China

BackgroundThe persistent infection of high-risk Human papillomavirus(HPV) is considered the main cause of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical cancer. But various cervical lesions caused by HPV infection can be properly prevented by timely vaccination. However, the distribution of HPV genotypes varies geographically.MethodsRetrospective analysis of high-risk HPV prevalence of 16,150 women from 2020 to 2022 in xianning of China. HPV genotyping was performed using a PCR-RDB Kit that can detect 18 high-risk HPV genotypes recommended by China’s National Medical Products Administration. The prevalence of 18 high-risk HPV genotypes and their relationship with cervical lesions as well as vaccine efficacy were analyzed.ResultsA total of 2431 women were confirmed to have different types of high-risk HPV infections. The overall positive rate reached 15.05%(2431/16,150). The most prevalent high-risk HPV genotypes were HPV52, 16, 58, 53, and 51. The prevalence of high-risk HPV reached peak at age ≤ 20(20.95%) and age ≥ 61(20.56%). The most prevalent high-risk HPV genotypes were HPV16, 58, 18, 33 and 52 in cervical cancer cases, HPV16, 52, 58, 33 and 18 in CIN2/3 cases, and HPV52, 58, 16, 53 and 18 in CIN1 cases, respectively.ConclusionHPV16, 58 and 18 are the most dangerous and carcinogenic genotypes in xianning, China. Conducting epidemiological investigations on high-risk HPV has significant clinical value in guiding HPV vaccination work.

The prevalence and genotype distribution of human papillomavirus in central Fujian Province during the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundGlobal human activities were significantly impacted by the emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and genotype distribution of HPV infection in Central Fujian Province during the pandemic.MethodsCervical samples were collected from 21,612 outpatients and 12,664 females who underwent physical examinations and HPV screening at the People’s Hospital of Fujian Province in Fuzhou from April 2020 to April 2023. HPV detection and genotyping were conducted using PCR hybridization.ResultsThe overall HPV infection rate was 16.1% during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the outpatient group exhibiting a greater infection rate (19.0%) than did the healthy group (12.3%). The top five high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) genotypes in both groups were HPV52, HPV53, HPV58, HPV16, and HPV51. Additionally, HPV81 and HPV43 were the two most common low-risk HPV (LR-HPV) genotypes in the patient group, while HPV81 and HPV42 were the two most common LR-HPV genotypes in the healthy group. The highest prevalence of HPV infection was observed in individuals aged ≤ 24 years (28.4%, 95% CI 25.9–30.9), followed by those aged ≥ 55 years (23.6%, 95% CI 21.6–24.7) and other age groups. The prevalence decreased from 23.0% (95% CI 22.4–23.7) in 2018–2019 to 13.8% (95% CI 12.0-15.5) in 2023.ConclusionThis study provides valuable insights into the prevalence and genotypes of HPV infection in the female population of Central Fujian Province from 2020 to 2023. The findings indicate that the prevalence of HPV infection in Central Fujian Province remains relatively low compared to the national average. Furthermore, the prevalence of HPV decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, as the pandemic waned, there was potential for an increase in HPV infection rates. Therefore, it is crucial to strengthen HPV screening and vaccination strategies to prevent the potential spread of HPV.

Design and evaluation of a multi-epitope DNA vaccine against HPV16

ABSTRACT Cervical cancer, among the deadliest cancers affecting women globally, primarily arises from persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV). To effectively combat persistent infection and prevent the progression of precancerous lesions into malignancy, a therapeutic HPV vaccine is under development. This study utilized an immunoinformatics approach to predict epitopes of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and helper T lymphocytes (HTLs) using the E6 and E7 oncoproteins of the HPV16 strain as target antigens. Subsequently, through meticulous selection of T-cell epitopes and other necessary elements, a multi-epitope vaccine was constructed, exhibiting good immunogenic, physicochemical, and structural characteristics. Furthermore, in silico simulations showed that the vaccine not only interacted well with toll-like receptors (TLR2/TLR3/TLR4), but also induced a strong innate and adaptive immune response characterized by elevated Th1-type cytokines, such as interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin-2 (IL2). Additionally, our study investigated the effects of different immunization intervals on immune responses, aiming to optimize a time-efficient immunization program. In animal model experiments, the vaccine exhibited robust immunogenic, therapeutic, and prophylactic effects. Administered thrice, it consistently induced the expansion of specific CD4 and CD8 T cells, resulting in substantial cytokines release and increased proliferation of memory T cell subsets in splenic cells. Overall, our findings support the potential of this multi-epitope vaccine in combating HPV16 infection and signify its candidacy for future HPV vaccine development.

The Incidence of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia or Cervical Cancer in Women Referred With Postcoital Bleeding.

The incidence of cervical cancer among patients with postcoital bleeding (PCB) was the primary objective of this study. Furthermore, the proportion of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia requiring treatment and the correlation between PCB and the presence of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) was determined. Lastly, the study aimed to identify risk factors among the referred women. A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a university hospital in Denmark between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2019. Women referred with PCB were identified with the ICD diagnosis codes "DN930 Postcoital and contact bleeding" and "DN930B Contact bleeding." Demographic and paraclinical data were extracted from the journals and the supportive systems: Patoweb and the Danish Microbiology Database. A total of 789 women were included in this study, with only 0.25% ( n = 2) diagnosed with cervical cancer and 2.5% ( n = 20) diagnosed with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia II-III and adenocarcinoma in situ. Human papillomavirus testing was only conducted in a minority of cases, and a low incidence of high-risk human papilloma virus was detected in the 22 cases, n = 5. A very low incidence of cervical cancer and high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia reported among women referred with PCB. Prognostic factors as body mass index, smoking, and HPV vaccination status may predict the risk of cervical cancer. Selection criteria like primary testing for hrHPV and cytology as cotests before referral to colposcopy may reduce the number of unnecessary colposcopies.

Epidemiology of human papillomavirus infection in women from Xiamen, China, 2013 to 2023.

Cervical cancer is primarily caused by HPV infection. The epidemiology of HPV infection in specific areas is of great meaning of guide cervical cancer screening and formulating HPV vaccination strategies. Here, we evaluated the epidemiological characteristics of HPV infection in Xiamen population. In total, 159,049 cervical exfoliated cell samples collected from female outpatients in Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen between January 2013 and July 2023 were analyzed. HPV DNA detection was performed using HPV genotyping kits (Hybribio Limited Corp, China). An analysis was conducted on the prevalence of HPV infection, taking into account factors such as age, year, and multiple patterns of HPV infection. The differences in prevalence among age groups and years were compared using χ2 test. The overall prevalence of any 21 HPV genotypes was 18.4%, of which the high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) positive rate was 14.6%. The age-specific prevalence of HPV infection showed a bimodal distribution, with two distinct peaks, one at <25 years (31.2%) and the other at 60-64 years (32.9%). There was a downward trend in the prevalence of HPV infection over time, decreasing from 26.2% in 2013 to 14.5% in 2021, and then increasing to 19.0% in 2023. The five most prevent HR-HPV genotypes were HPV52 (4.0%), 58 (2.6%), 16 (2.5%), 51 (1.8%), and 39 (1.7%). Among the positive cases, 76.7% were detected with only one genotype and 23.3% with multiple genotypes. The most common co-infection was HPV52 + HPV58 (0.24%), followed by HPV16 + HPV52 (0.24%), HPV52 + HPV53 (0.21%), HPV52 + HPV81 (0.21%), HPV51 + HPV52 (0.19%), HPV16 + HPV58 (0.18%), and HPV39 + HPV52 (0.17%). The study provided the largest scale information on the recent epidemiological characteristics of HPV infection in Xiamen, and even in Fujian Province, China, which would support making the prevention and control strategies for cervical cancer in the region.

Analysis of high-risk human papillomavirus infections and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: factors influencing awareness among women of childbearing age in southwest China.

High-risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infections are a leading cause of cervical diseases among Han Chinese women of reproductive age. Despite studies like Mai et al. (2021) addressing HPV prevalence in Southern China, awareness remains low, especially in Southwest China. Our study addresses this gap. This hospital-based, retrospective study analyzes the prevalence of high-risk HPV and its association with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) among Han Chinese women of reproductive age in Southwest China. Data were collected from 724 women undergoing routine health exams from December 2022 to April 2023. A total of 102 women with high-risk HPV infections were identified. A survey assessed HPV awareness, CIN incidence, and socio-demographic factors influencing awareness. Of the 724 women, 102 (14.1%) were diagnosed with high-risk HPV, with HPV-16 being the most common subtype (22.5%). Awareness was significantly lower among unmarried women (OR: 6.632, p = 0.047), those with high school education or less (OR: 20.571, p = 0.003), and rural residents (OR: 19.483, p = 0.020). HPV-16 was detected in 54.55% of women with high-grade CIN. There is an urgent need for targeted education and HPV vaccination in Southwest China, particularly for women with lower education, rural residents, and older individuals. Subtype-specific strategies are essential for preventing and managing CIN.

A Therapeutic DNA Vaccine Targeting HPV16 E7 in Combination with Anti-PD-1/PD-L1 Enhanced Tumor Regression and Cytotoxic Immune Responses.

Persistent infection of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) and the expression of E6 and E7 oncoproteins are the main causes of cervical cancer. Several prophylactic HPV vaccines are used in the clinic, but these vaccines have limited efficacy in patients already infected with HPV. Since HPV E7 is vital for tumor-specific immunity, developing a vaccine against HPV E7 is an attractive strategy for cervical cancer treatment. Here, we constructed an HPV16 E7 mutant that loses the ability to bind pRb while still eliciting a robust immune response. In order to build a therapeutic DNA vaccine, the E7 mutant was packaged in an adenovirus vector (Ad-E7) for efficient expression and enhanced immunogenicity of the vaccine. Our results showed that the Ad-E7 vaccine effectively inhibited tumor growth and increased the proportion of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)-secreting CD8+ T cells in the spleen, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in a mouse cervical cancer model was achieved by injecting with HPV16-E6/E7-expressing TC-1 cells subcutaneously. Combining the Ad-E7 vaccine with the PD-1/PD-L1 antibody blockade significantly improved the control of TC-1 tumors. Combination therapy elicited stronger cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses, and IFN-γ secretion downregulated the proportion of Tregs and MDSCs significantly. The expressions of cancer-promoting factors, such as TNF-α, were also significantly down-regulated in the case of combination therapy. In addition, combination therapy inhibited the number of capillaries in tumor tissues and increased the thickness of the tumor capsule. Thus, Ad-E7 vaccination, in combination with an immune checkpoint blockade, may benefit patients with HPV16-associated cervical cancer.

A pilot study of repeated 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia by a newly developed intravaginal irradiation system

The pilot study was performed to assess the usefulness of a newly developed patientand physician-friendly intravaginal irradiation system for photodynamic therapy with 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA PDT) for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). We used an intravaginal balloon applicator to make the cervix upright and to adjust the position and direction of the laser source in the vagina, resulting in minimal patient discomfort and minimal effort required by the physician during irradiation. Ten outpatients of CIN2 or 3 with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection without a history of HPV vaccination were treated by 5-ALA PDT. Each patient underwent PDT four times every two weeks. Nine patients showed pathological improvement, and the HPV clearance rate was 80%, and no recurrence was observed at two-years follow-up. Serum anti-HPV16 antibodies were detected in seven patients, and the antibody levels of three patients were high, equivalent to those acquired after HPV vaccination. Our newly developed irradiation system enabled easy repeat 5-ALA PDT in the outpatient clinic resulting in the improvement of CIN lesions and HPV clearance. Our results also suggested that repeated 5-ALA PDT might enhance HPV antibody production in CIN patients.

Expert consensus on the immunization strategy and practice of human papillomavirus vaccine for female adolescents in the Yangtze River Delta region

Persistent infection of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is the leading cause of cervical cancer. In order to achieve the goal of cervical cancer elimination, the World Health Organization (WHO) proposed the "90-70-90" goal, one of which is "90% of girls fully vaccinated with HPV vaccine by age 15 years". Based on the epidemiological characteristics of HPV infection and the characteristics of HPV vaccine, it is important to give priority to female adolescents to be vaccinated with HPV vaccine. CAV Affiliated Association for Standardized Management and Practice of Immunization Program organized an expert group to develop an expert consensus on the immunization strategy and practice of human papillomavirus vaccine for female adolescents in the Yangtze River Delta region. This consensus introduces HPV infection and related disease burden, safety, efficacy and effectiveness of HPV vaccination for female adolescents, factors affecting the health benefits of HPV vaccination for female adolescents, current HPV vaccination strategies for female adolescents, the expert advice, common problems and precautions in the Yangtze River Delta region. This consensus is developed to guide HPV vaccination for female adolescents in the Yangtze River Delta region and provide reference for other regions.

Cervical HPV infection in Guangzhou, China: an epidemiological study of 198,111 women from 2015 to 2021

ABSTRACT Persistent high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the pivotal cause of cervical carcinogenesis. HPV types distribution varies greatly by region, and its long-term changes of prevalence remain to be fully characterized in China. Here, the largest population of 198,111 consecutive women who underwent routine cervical screening were investigated from 2015 to 2021 in Guangzhou, south China. The results showed that the overall HPV prevalence was 21.66% (42,911/198,111), and the annual prevalence increased significantly from 2015 to 2021 (p < 0.001). HPV52, 16, 58, CP8304, 51, 53, 39, and 68 were the most prevalent HPV types. The relative HPV-positive rate correlated positively with the progression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (p < 0.001); HPV16 was the predominant carcinogenic type, followed by HPV52 and HPV18. HPV infections were significantly age-specific, and 26.51% (11,375/42,911) of cases were caused by multiple HPV types. In addition, HPV infections typically cleared over a median time of 16 (interquartile range 9–31) months, and the clearance of HPV16 was significantly faster than that of other types (p < 0.001). These findings may serve as a guide for local governments to evaluate HPV vaccination and cervical cancer prevention strategies in south China.

Willingness to get HPV vaccination among female university students in Kuwait and its relation to vaccine conspiracy beliefs

ABSTRACT A substantial burden of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and HPV-related cancers can be mitigated by vaccination. The current study aimed to investigate the willingness of female students at the University of Kuwait to get HPV vaccination and its possible association with general vaccine conspiracy beliefs (VCBs). This cross-sectional survey study was conducted during September–November 2022 using a validated VCB scale as the survey instrument. The final sample comprised 611 respondents with a median age of 22 y and a majority of Arab ethnicity (n = 600, 98.2%). Only 360 respondents (56.9%) heard of HPV before participation and these students showed an above-average level of HPV knowledge (mean knowledge score of 12.7 ± 2.6 out of 16 as the maximum score), of whom only 33 self-reported HPV vaccine uptake (9.2%). The willingness to accept free-of-charge HPV vaccination was seen among 69.8% of the participants, with 20.1% who were hesitant and 10.1% who were resistant. The acceptance of HPV vaccination if payment is required was 23.1%. Reasons for HPV vaccine hesitancy/resistance included complacency to the HPV disease risks, lack of confidence in HPV vaccination, and inconvenience. The embrace of VCBs was associated with significantly higher odds of HPV vaccine hesitancy/resistance. The current study showed the detrimental impact of endorsing vaccine conspiracy beliefs manifested in lower intention to get HPV vaccination among female university students in Kuwait. This should be considered in vaccine promotion efforts aiming to reduce the burden of HPV cancers.

Knowledge of cervical cancer prevention and treatment, and willingness to receive HPV vaccination among college students in China

BackgroundCervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women. Up to 99% of cervical cancer cases are associated with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV). Sexual behavior is a direct risk factor for HPV infection, and sexually active college students, therefore, receive attention for HPV vaccination. At present, most Chinese studies lack of in-depth research on influencing factors, and are limited to cervical cancer, HPV, or HPV vaccine, without comprehensive consideration. This study investigated Chinese college students’ cervical cancer prevention and treatment knowledge level, and explored the influencing factors, and understood their willingness to receive HPV vaccination. The findings of this study will lay a foundation for promoting the early screening of cervical cancer and vaccination process.MethodsA total of 800 college students from four universities in Zhengzhou, China were selected by multistage random sampling method. A self-administered questionnaire on the knowledge of cervical cancer prevention and treatment, and willingness to receive HPV vaccination was carried out. A logistic regression model was conducted to analyze factors influencing knowledge of cervical cancer prevention and treatment among college students.ResultsUp to 87.9% of college students said they had heard of cervical cancer. The proportion of college students with good knowledge of cervical cancer prevention and treatment was 46.7%. Logistic regression showed that gender, major, grade, level of education, the father's level of education, premarital sex attitude, and mother cervical cancer screening participation had a significant influence on cervical cancer prevention and treatment knowledge level (P < 0.05). In addition, 589 (74.0%) of college students had heard of HPV vaccine, and 92.8% of college students said they were willing to get vaccinated or recommended that their relatives and friends get vaccinated.ConclusionsThe knowledge level of cervical cancer prevention and treatment knowledge among college students in Zhengzhou is low. Many of them had poor knowledge about HPV vaccine, but their willingness to vaccination is high. Various health education modes should be carried out for people with different characteristics, to improve their knowledge of cervical cancer prevention and promote the vaccination process.

High-Risk HPV Genotype Distribution According to Cervical Cytology and Age.

A retrospective study of a single laboratory's results from patients in the United States to investigate high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) genotype distribution according to cervical cytology and age was performed. Anonymous results of 23 580 patients' cervical specimens sent to Medical Diagnostic Laboratories, LLC, for cervical cytology and HPV testing between August 2020 and August 2021 were analyzed. Overall, any of the 14 high-risk HPV genotypes identified were detected in 2302 of the 23 580 patients (9.8%), with HPV 52 (1.4%), HPV 39 (1.3%), HPV 51 (1.3%), and HPV 16 (1.2%) being the most frequent in all patients. Multiple high-risk HPV infection was observed in 1.3% of all patients. HPV 16 was most likely to be a single high-risk genotype detected as compared with detection with other high-risk HPV genotypes, in contrast to HPV 33, which is least likely to be a single high-risk genotype detected as compared with detection with other high-risk HPV genotypes. High-risk HPV detection was greatest in patients under 25 years old (<21-year-olds, 24.6%, and 21-25-year-olds, 25.4%). In patients with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, the most frequently detected high-risk HPV genotypes were HPV 51 (10.5%) and HPV 39 (9.1%), and in patients with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, the most frequently detected high-risk HPV genotypes were HPV 16 (25.6%) and HPV 52 (17.1%). HPV genotyping and cervical cytology data analysis may contribute to and inform cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination programs.

A bacterially expressed triple-type chimeric vaccine against human papillomavirus types 51, 69, and 26

Persistent infection of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is a leading cause of some cancers, including cervical cancer. However, with over 20 carcinogenic HPV types, it is difficult to design a multivalent vaccine that can offer complete protection. Here, we describe the design and optimization of a HPV51/69/26 triple-type chimeric virus-like particle (VLP) for vaccine development. Using E. coli and a serial N-terminal truncation strategy, we created double- and triple-type chimeric VLPs through loop-swapping at equivalent surface loops. The lead candidate, H69-51BC-26FG, conferred similar particulate properties as that of its parental VLPs and comparable immunogenicity against HPV51, −69 and −26. When produced in a GMP-like facility, these H69-51BC-26FG VLPs were verified to have excellent qualities for the development of a multivalent HPV vaccine. This study showcases an amenable way to create a single VLP using type-specific epitope clustering for the design of a triple-type vaccine.

A Review on the Use of the HPV Vaccine in the Prevention of Cervical Cancer.

The main risk factor for invasive cervical carcinoma is persistent infection by the high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection (STI) and has been linked to 15 different cancers. Cervical cancer is one of the most frequent cancers among women, particularly in resource-limited countries. Cervical cancer is an HPV disease with the highest worldwide burden in resource-limited nations. With improved medical care and nationwide screening programmes, the mortality rate from cervical cancer has decreased in the past 40 years. Many developing nations have been shown to have inadequate knowledge and health-seeking practices, making proper awareness and immunisation programmes necessary. The best strategy to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer is through the administration of HPV vaccines along with routine cervical screening. The HPV vaccine is crucial for public health. Vaccinations against all HPV subtypes, namely, bivalent, quadrivalent, and nonavalent, are available. Financial issues are the main barrier to HPV vaccination. The framework for behavioural and social drivers of vaccination, which includes practical concerns, motivation, social processes, thoughts, and feelings, is widely used to uncover important aspects linked with HPV vaccination. The burden of cervical cancer due to HPV and the advantages of HPV vaccination are summarised in this review article.

Current Status of Human Papillomavirus Infection and Cervical Cancer in the Philippines.

Cervical cancer is estimated to cause 341,831 deaths each year, with 9 of 10 deaths occurring in developing countries. Over the past decade, there has been a significant increase in cervical cancer incidence among women in the Philippines. Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is the well-established necessary cause of cervical cancer. Based on limited studies conducted in the Philippines, the prevalence of infection with any HPV genotype was 93.8% for cervical squamous cell carcinoma and 90.9% for cervical adenocarcinomas. HPV types 16 and 18 were the most common HPV genotypes among Filipino patients with cervical cancer. On the other hand, the incidence of HPV infection among Filipino women with normal cervices was 9.2%. The World Health Organization has launched a global agenda of eliminating HPV infection by 2030. One of its key milestones is to vaccinate 90% of girls with the HPV vaccine by 15 years. However, the HPV vaccination rate among Filipino women remains to be unsatisfactory. HPV vaccination has only been included in the Philippine Department of Health's community-based National Immunization Program in 2015. Despite these efforts, the Philippines currently ranks last on HPV program coverage among low-middle income countries, with coverage of only 23% of the target female population for the first dose and 5% for the final dose. The principal reason for the non-acceptance of HPV vaccines was the perceived high cost of vaccination. The low utilization of available cervical cancer screening tests such as Pap smear and visual inspection with acetic acid hampered the Philippines' control and prevention of HPV infection and cervical cancer. Among those diagnosed with cervical cancer in the Philippines, only an estimated 50% to 60% receive some form of treatment. To this end, we summarize the burden of HPV infection and cervical cancer on Filipinos and the risk factors associated with the disease. We present the current screening, diagnostics, treatment, and prevention of HPV-related diseases in the Philippines. Lastly, we also propose solutions on how each building block in health systems can be improved to eliminate HPV infection and reduce the burden of cervical cancer in the Philippines.

What do university students know about cervical cancer and HPV vaccine?

Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers in women. Infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes is responsible for most cervical cancer cases. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of undergraduate medical and non-medical students about cervical cancer and HPV vaccines. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was distributed to 172 students in the final 2 years of an undergraduate program at the College of Medicine and the College of Business and Art at the King Saud University. Thirty-one and 83 students (36% and 96.5%, respectively) in the non-medical and medical cohorts, respectively, answered that cervical cancer is preventable (p < 0.001). Further, there was a significant difference in the two cohorts regarding their responses to the etiology of cervical cancer (p < 0.001). Forty-five of the medical students answered correctly that the vaccine should be administered to boys and girls alike (52.3%), whereas only 19 (22.1%) non-medical students gave this answer. Moreover, 52 of the medical students (60.5%) expressed willingness to take the vaccine, whereas only 23 (26.7%) of the non-medical students were willing to receive the vaccination. The most common primary source of knowledge of the medical students was medical courses (96.5%), whereas for non-medical students was social media (66.28%). Vaccine availability was the commonest obstacle preventing medical students from receiving the vaccine, whereas that of non-medical students was inadequate information. Medical students' knowledge about cervical cancer and vaccination was more accurate than that of non-medical students. We expect that the public will have an even lower level of knowledge. We recommend including necessary information about the vaccine in schools, colleges, and community education programs.

The prevalence and genotype distribution of human papillomavirus among women in Guangxi, southern China

BackgroundHuman papillomavirus is a primary cause of cervical cancer and genital warts. HPV vaccine can prevent high-grade cervical lesions as well as cervical cancer. The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence and genotype distribution of human papillomavirus among women in Guangxi before and after the HPV vaccine was approved for use in China.MethodsFrom January 2016 to May 2021, 41,140 women were tested for HPV infection. HPV genotyping included 15 high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) and 6 low-risk HPV (LR-HPV) genotypes. Total prevalence, annual trend, and specific age group prevalence and genotype distribution were analyzed.ResultsThe overall HPV infection rate was 18.10% among Guangxi women self-referred to clinic for gynecologic problems in southern China. During 2016–2018, the prevalence of HPV infection showed an upward trend, from 18.21% in 2016 to 21.99% in 2018, and later it showed a downward trend, from 18.35% in 2019 to 12.26% in May 2021. Pure HR-HPV genotypes (14.36%) were found in more infections than pure LR-HPV genotypes (2.77%) and mixed genotypes (0.97%). Two peaks of HPV infection were found in the ≤ 25 years (22.94%) and 56–65 years (21.25%) groups. The six most prevalent HR-HPV genotypes were HPV 52 (4.06%), 16 (2.70%), 58 (2.24%), 51 (1.87%), 39 (1.52%), and 53 (1.52%). The three most prevalent LR-HPV genotypes were HPV 6 (1.31%), CP8304 (1.01%), and 11 (0.82%). Infection with a single HR-HPV genotype was the most common type of infection, with an overall infection rate of 12.30%. Infection with two HPV genotypes was the most common multiple HR-HPV infection type, with an infection rate of 2.35%.ConclusionsThe cervical HPV infection rate of women in Guangxi is very high, and there is significant age specificity. There is a need to increase HPV vaccination of young people and the screening of middle-aged and elderly people.

Peptide-Based Nanovaccines in the Treatment of Cervical Cancer: A Review of Recent Advances.

Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs), such as HPV-16 and HPV-18, can induce cervical cancer in humans. The disease carries high morbidity and mortality among females worldwide. Inoculation with prophylactic HPV vaccines, such as Gardasil® or Cervarix®, is the predominant method of preventing cervical cancer in females 6 to 26 years of age. However, despite the availability of commercial prophylactic HPV vaccines, no therapeutic HPV vaccines to eliminate existing HPV infections have been approved. Peptide-based vaccines, which form one of the most potent vaccine platforms, have been broadly investigated to overcome this shortcoming. Peptide-based vaccines are especially effective in inducing cellular immune responses and eradicating tumor cells when combined with nanoscale adjuvant particles and delivery systems. This review summarizes progress in the development of peptide-based nanovaccines against HPV infection.