A recent study from the Karolinska Institutet has revealed that vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) not only protects young girls from cervical cancer but also significantly reduces the likelihood of developing severe precancerous lesions of the vulva and vagina. Published in JAMA Oncology, the research indicates that girls vaccinated before the age of 17 experience the greatest benefits.
In Sweden, the HPV vaccine is offered to all middle school children, aiming to prevent cervical cancer and other HPV-related conditions. The study analyzed data from over 770,000 women born between 1985 and 1998, tracking their health from 2006 to 2022. Utilizing Swedish health registries, researchers compared the incidence of high-grade lesions in women who received at least one dose of the HPV vaccine with those who did not.
After adjusting for factors such as age, education, income, and maternal medical histories, the findings revealed that vaccinated women had a 37 percent lower risk of developing severe vulvar and vaginal lesions. Notably, the risk was reduced by 55 percent for those vaccinated before the age of 17.
Yunyang Deng, a postdoctoral researcher at Karolinska Institutet and the study’s first author, emphasized the importance of early vaccination. “Our study is the largest of its kind to investigate the link between HPV vaccination and serious diseases of the vulva and vagina,” Deng stated. “The results highlight the importance of offering the HPV vaccine to girls at an early stage in life, before they become sexually active.”
The quadrivalent HPV vaccine, which provides protection against HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18, is crucial in preventing high-grade lesions. This research not only underscores the vaccine’s efficacy but also calls for continued efforts to vaccinate young girls.
Future research plans include evaluating the effectiveness of different HPV vaccines and their long-term protection. Jiayao Lei, an assistant professor at Karolinska Institutet and the study leader, expressed a desire to explore the vaccines’ impact on other HPV-related cancers, including those affecting men.
The study was conducted in collaboration with the Public Health Agency of Sweden and Karolinska University Hospital. Funding was provided by the Swedish Research Council, the Swedish Cancer Society, Forte, and the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme. The researchers reported no conflicts of interest.
The research highlights the critical role of HPV vaccination in public health. HPV types 16 and 18 are responsible for a significant number of cervical cancer cases, as well as other cancers. Several HPV vaccines have been approved both in Sweden and internationally, all of which protect against these high-risk types.
As awareness of HPV and its potential consequences grows, health organizations continue to advocate for widespread vaccination to safeguard future generations against the dangers posed by this virus.
