What Controversy Surrounds the New Cervical Cancer Vaccine?

Cervical cancer vaccine, also known as HPV vaccine, is a vaccine to prevent cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is mainly caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The vaccine effectively prevents the onset of cervical cancer by preventing HPV virus infection, and can prevent the human papilloma virus subtype variation covered by the human infection vaccine. Studies have found that 99.7% of cervical cancers are caused by HPV infection. HPV can also cause other relatively rare cancers, such as penile cancer, laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, and anal cancer. The main route of HPV is sexual or skin-to-skin contact. ^[1]

Cervical cancer vaccine, also known as HPV vaccine, is a vaccine to prevent cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is mainly caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The vaccine effectively prevents the onset of cervical cancer by preventing HPV virus infection, and can prevent the human papilloma virus subtype variation covered by the human infection vaccine. Studies have found that 99.7% of cervical cancers are caused by HPV infection. HPV can also cause other relatively rare cancers, such as penile cancer, laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, and anal cancer. The main route of HPV is sexual or skin-to-skin contact. ^[1]

Drug Name

Cervical cancer vaccine

Alias

Cervical cancer vaccine, HPV vaccine

Whether prescription drugs

prescription

Main indications

Preventing human papillomavirus infection

Overview of cervical cancer vaccine

Data show that China has about 130,000 new cases of cervical cancer each year, accounting for one-third of new cases worldwide, and about 80,000 women die. Cervical cancer is also the second most common cancer among women aged 15 to 44 in China. Globally, an average new case is detected every minute, and every two minutes a woman dies of cervical cancer. ^[1]

Human papillomavirus is a member of the papillomavirus family, referred to as HPV. There are currently more than 100 different types of HPV known, most of which are considered "low risk" and not associated with cervical cancer. However, 14 HPV types are listed as "high risk" because they have been shown to cause almost all cervical cancers. Among them, the two highest-risk strains HPV-16 and HPV-18 can cause about 70% of cervical cancer cases. HPV infection has now reached an international consensus, both in terms of epidemiology and clinical data, that HPV is a necessary condition for cervical cancer. The first German scientist to explain that HPV is a key cause of cervical cancer was also awarded the Nobel Prize in Medical Physiology in 2008. Based on their research, scientists have developed HPV preventive vaccines to prevent cervical cancer. ^[2]

HPV is transmitted mainly through sexual contact, so every sexually active woman is at risk of contracting carcinogenic HPV. In addition to HPV infection, in addition to sexual behavior, direct infection can also occur: for example, after touching HPV-containing items by hand, the virus may be introduced into the reproductive organs when using the toilet or bathing; or Bath towels and other items with HPV may be infected. HPV infection is more common in women, and data show that at some stage in life, 4 out of 5 women will get infected. If infected with high-risk HPV, it may progress to high-grade cervical lesions and even cervical cancer. ^[2]

Prior to the advent of the vaccine, the main means of preventing cervical cancer was through cervical screening, which is to detect and treat early cervical lesions by examining the cervical exfoliated cells and further examination. The advent of vaccines has made cervical cancer prevention more comprehensive and effective. It is worth noting that even if you are vaccinated against cervical cancer, you should still be screened regularly. There are more than 100 subtypes of HPV virus and more than 10 high-risk subtypes associated with cervical cancer. The vaccine is targeted at only a few of them. ^[2]

Based on the good clinical protection effects and safety data of HPV vaccines, the World Health Organization (WHO) encourages the use of HPV vaccines in appropriate populations to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer. ^[2]

Cervical cancer is one of the common malignant tumors in gynecology, and its incidence is second only to breast cancer. Every year, there are 460,000 new cases worldwide, and about 250,000 people die of cervical cancer each year. From 2002 to 2012, the incidence of cervical cancer was steadily rising and younger. In Guangzhou, the number of cervical cancer patients under the age of 30 has increased significantly due to changes in sexual perception, environmental pollution and poor hygiene habits. The number of inpatients admitted by major hospitals in 2005 increased by 1/3 compared with 2004, and only the China University Cancer Hospital The total number of patients admitted to the two provincial hospitals is over 1,000, which is more than the total number of cervical cancer patients in Australia.

Cervical cancer vaccine types available

HPV 2-valent vaccine

On July 12, 2016, the State Food and Drug Administration approved the import registration application of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) 's preventive biological product-human papilloma virus adsorption vaccine. This product is a bivalent vaccine prepared by using baculovirus expression system to express recombinant HPV16 and 18 L1 virus-like particles, respectively, purified, and added with MPL and aluminum hydroxide adjuvant. The vaccine is the first new vaccine to be marketed in China, and research data show that its safety and effectiveness in domestic target populations are consistent with foreign countries. ^[2]

Existing data show that HPV16 and 18 infection rates are the highest, causing 70% of cervical cancer, 80% of anal cancer, 60% of vaginal tumors and 40% of vulvar cancer. ^[1]

HPV 4-valent vaccine

Merck has developed the world's first HPV 4-valent vaccine, "Gardasil®", and has prioritized its listing in the United States. This quadrivalent vaccine protects against HPV16, 18, 6, and 11 viruses and protects against diseases caused by four human papillomaviruses (HPV 6, 11, 16, 18). ^[3]

HPV 9-valent vaccine

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on its official website on December 10, 2014: GARDASIL 9 (Jadaxiu, a nine-valent recombinant human papilloma virus vaccine) developed by Merck (known as Merck in the United States and Canada) Approved. The 9-valent vaccine can protect against 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58 viruses.

What kind of people are suitable for vaccination?

HPV vaccination is best done before women have their first substantial exposure. The US recommendation is 9 to 26 years.
The vaccines currently approved for entry into China are the recommended age of 9-45 years for bivalent vaccines, 20-45 years for tetravalent vaccines, and 9-valent vaccines for women aged 16 to 26. ^[4]