2023-06-15 15:00:11
Cfifth leading cause of cancer in the world, human papillomavirus (HPV, in English) is best known for being responsible for cancers of the cervix (99.7%) and half of cancers of the oropharynx (ORL). But we know less that it is also responsible for other cancers, such as certain cancers of the vagina (75%), vulva (69%), anus (91%), penis (63%) and the skin (squamous cell carcinoma).
Every year, 30,000 precancerous lesions and 8,000 cancers induced by HPV infections in France might be avoided if the vaccination coverage rate of the target population exceeded 80%. However, currently only 40% of girls and 6% of boys are vaccinated in France, unlike our European neighbors, where vaccination coverage exceeds 50% or even 75% depending on the country. An effective and well-tolerated vaccine protects once morest the most serious infections (causing precancerous lesions and cancers).
Even though this vaccine has a marketing authorization from the age of 9 in Europe, the French vaccination schedule recommends vaccination for girls and boys from 11 to 14 years old (in two doses) , and between 15 and 19 years of age as part of a catch-up vaccination (three-dose schedule). Currently, we cannot do this catch-up following 19 years. Only men who have sex with men have access to it up to the age of 26.
More vaccinations, more coverage
However, vaccination should not depend on gender or sexual orientation: it should take place as early as possible, from the age of 9, as is practiced in other countries of the world, in accordance with the WHO recommendations. The earlier the vaccination is given, the greater the coverage, the fewer doses required, and the more effective it will be. Among these 8,000 cancers induced by HPV, some are rarer, and patients have very little access to therapeutic innovation.
Thus, while immunotherapy has become a standard in the management of head and neck cancers and of the cervix, patients suffering from other types of HPV-induced cancers are deprived of it. However, all these cancers have the same characteristics, and all patients should be able to benefit from the same therapeutic advances. This is why we must reason differently by considering their common cause, the virus, independently of the affected organ.
For this, we have created, at the Gustave Roussy Institute, a trans-organ HPV group. The idea is to set up a clinical and translational research program centered on all cancers induced by HPV to have easier access to therapeutic innovation, and to promote multidisciplinary care and research, at the time of diagnosis and treatment, as well as in terms of prevention and screening of pathologies induced by HPV.
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