09-25-2013, 03:55 AM
Cervical cancer vaccine
The previous article describes a promising clinical trial aimed at developing immunotherapy against the scourge of ovarian cancer. Another gynaecological cancer of women, namely cervical cancer, already has a vaccine available. Cervical cancer is the most prevalent preventable cancer of women in developing countries. It is caused by sexual transmission of human papillomavirus (HPV); it is estimated that in excess of 80% of sexually active women will be infected with HPV in their lifetime. Cervical cancer arises when certain oncogenic subtypes of HPV persist, resulting in firstly precancerous change (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)) and ultimately cervical cancer. When considering a potential vaccine/immunotherapy to ovarian cancer it is worth bearing in mind the issue that have arisen in introducing the cervical cancer vaccine.
Two HPV vaccines are available, namely Merck & Co.'s Gardasil() and GlaxoSmithKline's Cervarix(). The optimal regime for vaccination dictates that girls be vaccinated prior to becoming sexually active, with the hope being that the incidence of cervical cancer be reduced in the future. However, concerns raised in the media about potential safety risks associated with the vaccine have impacted on vaccine uptake. This is a challenge for public health workers, who need to focus on education of parents and adolescent girls on the proven link of HPV to cervical cancer. In the UK, a school-based vaccination programme has had a positive effect on uptake, with an uptake rate in England of 76% for 2009/2010.
In addition to the vaccine, some countries including the UK have an effective cervical screening programme, in which CIN is recognised and treated before cervical cancer can develop. Studies suggest that the optimal method for reduction of cervical cancer incidence within a sustainable budget is to implement a combination of HPV vaccination in 80% of pre-sexually active girls along with sreening at a longer interval than currently practiced in the UK, i.e. every six years instead of every three.
it is to be hoped that a situation can develop where ovarian cancer can be tackled as effectively as it is beginning to be possible to tackle cervical cancer.
Sources
DEMARTEAU, N., BREUER, T. and STANDAERT, B., 2012. Selecting a mix of prevention strategies against cervical cancer for maximum efficiency with an optimization program. PharmacoEconomics, 30(4), pp. 337-353
RUSSELL, M., RAHEJA, V. and JAIYESIMI, R., 2013. Human papillomavirus vaccination in adolescence. Perspectives In Public Health,
The previous article describes a promising clinical trial aimed at developing immunotherapy against the scourge of ovarian cancer. Another gynaecological cancer of women, namely cervical cancer, already has a vaccine available. Cervical cancer is the most prevalent preventable cancer of women in developing countries. It is caused by sexual transmission of human papillomavirus (HPV); it is estimated that in excess of 80% of sexually active women will be infected with HPV in their lifetime. Cervical cancer arises when certain oncogenic subtypes of HPV persist, resulting in firstly precancerous change (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)) and ultimately cervical cancer. When considering a potential vaccine/immunotherapy to ovarian cancer it is worth bearing in mind the issue that have arisen in introducing the cervical cancer vaccine.
Two HPV vaccines are available, namely Merck & Co.'s Gardasil() and GlaxoSmithKline's Cervarix(). The optimal regime for vaccination dictates that girls be vaccinated prior to becoming sexually active, with the hope being that the incidence of cervical cancer be reduced in the future. However, concerns raised in the media about potential safety risks associated with the vaccine have impacted on vaccine uptake. This is a challenge for public health workers, who need to focus on education of parents and adolescent girls on the proven link of HPV to cervical cancer. In the UK, a school-based vaccination programme has had a positive effect on uptake, with an uptake rate in England of 76% for 2009/2010.
In addition to the vaccine, some countries including the UK have an effective cervical screening programme, in which CIN is recognised and treated before cervical cancer can develop. Studies suggest that the optimal method for reduction of cervical cancer incidence within a sustainable budget is to implement a combination of HPV vaccination in 80% of pre-sexually active girls along with sreening at a longer interval than currently practiced in the UK, i.e. every six years instead of every three.
it is to be hoped that a situation can develop where ovarian cancer can be tackled as effectively as it is beginning to be possible to tackle cervical cancer.
Sources
DEMARTEAU, N., BREUER, T. and STANDAERT, B., 2012. Selecting a mix of prevention strategies against cervical cancer for maximum efficiency with an optimization program. PharmacoEconomics, 30(4), pp. 337-353
RUSSELL, M., RAHEJA, V. and JAIYESIMI, R., 2013. Human papillomavirus vaccination in adolescence. Perspectives In Public Health,
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