Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infections and the Importance of HPV Vaccination

Abstract

HPV persistence is necessary for the development of anogenital cancer. Studies show that cervical and anal HPV infections in women and in men who have sex with men are common. Clearance of HPV infection is similarly common; few individuals show persistence unless they are HIV-infected. HIV strongly influences the development of cervical and anal cancer, as well as their pre-malignant counterparts. Women with cervical and vulvar HPV-associated lesions have higher rates of anal cancer than the general population. HPV also plays an important role in pathogenesis of head and neck cancers, particularly oropharyngeal cancer. Two commercially available HPV vaccines have been proven to be safe and efficacious against cervical HPV16/18 infections and associated precancerous lesions; one of these has also been shown to prevent HPV16/18-associated anal lesions. The FDA has also just approved a new nonavalent HPV vaccine. HPV vaccines will play an important role in prevention of HPV-associated cancers.

Introduction

HPV infections are almost exclusively acquired from sexual exposure by entering the skin and mucous membranes of the mouth, anus, penis and female reproductive tract. Concordance of HPV infection between sexual partners is variable and ranges from 40% to 60%, which may be affected by length of sexual relationship, frequency of intercourse, condom use, and number of lifetime sexual partners [1,2]. Once HPV infects one sex partner, it is quickly transmitted to another [3]. In a 12-month period, the probability for men to acquire a new genital HPV infection is estimated to be 0.29–0.39, which is similar to previous estimates for women [4,5]. Additionally, the overall transmission rate from one heterosexual partner to the other over a 6-month period is estimated to be 3.7 cases per 100 person-months [6].

HPVs are small, non-enveloped DNA viruses and there are over 150 types. HPV genotypes 16 and 18 are responsible for approximately 70% of cervical cancers, with the remaining 30% caused by other carcinogenic HPV types [9]. HPV16 is the most carcinogenic type in terms of numbers of cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) or cervical cancer [10]. Low-risk genotypes 6 and 11 cause most cases of genital warts. There is conflicting evidence regarding whether any type of oncogenic HPV (especially HPV16) persists longer than others [11] in the absence of development of CIN3+. However, it is clear that viral type is a major predictor of risk of CIN3+ [12].

HPV infection accounts for approximately 5.2% of human cancer burden worldwide, including the cancers of the anus, genital tract and oropharynx [13,14]. Each year approximately 500,000 women are diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer worldwide and 250,000 women die from it, mainly in developing countries [15]. The incidence of anal cancer is low among men in the general population, but is considerably increased among men who have sex with men (MSM). Among HIV-infected MSM, the incidence rates are even higher [16]. The risk of anal cancer has continued to increase among HIV-infected MSM since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) [17], and it is possible that this trend may continue with the aging of the HIV-infected population. Currently, rates of anal cancer in HIV-infected MSM are higher than cervical cancer reported anywhere in the world [18].

Biology of HPV

In normal squamous epithelium of the cervix, the basal layer is the area of active cell division. After division, the cells migrate up from the basal layer and no longer progress through the cell cycle and become terminally-differentiated keratinocytes. In the anus, intraepithelial lesions generally arise in the transition zone, a region that extends from the squamocolumnar junction with the rectal columnar mucosa distally to the dentate line. In this area of transition there is active transition from columnar epithelium to squamous epithelium through the process of squamous metaplasia. Upon entry into either cervical or anal epithelium at areas of microtrauma, HPV targets actively proliferating basal cells. Most viral genome replication occurs after the epithelial cells migrate away from the basal layer. Since the epithelial cells have stopped dividing at this stage, the viral copy number per cell greatly increases, as do levels of viral gene expression. Typical HPV-induced histopathologic changes characteristic of low-grade lesions reflect active viral replication. These include koilocytosis, multinucleation, and nuclear enlargement; and are due to the assembly of the viral particles in the upper epithelial layers. The epithelium is then shed and infectious HPV virions are released, which can then infect a new host.

In contrast, HPV-induced histopathologic changes associated with high-grade, pre-cancer lesions reflect the activity of HPV oncoproteins such as E6 and E7. E6 binds to and degrades tumor-suppressor protein p53 in the host cell, inhibiting apoptosis and cell cycle arrest and leading to cellular proliferation [19]. The E7 protein is involved with cell immortalization through the retinoblastoma (Rb) proteins. When E7 binds Rb, the Rb-E7 complex is degraded and the cell proceeds unregulated through the S phase [20]. Currently, it is believed that low-risk HPV types do not cause malignancy due to weaker binding of their E6 and E7 to their target proteins, differences in promoter positioning and regulation, and pattern of mRNA splicing compared to E6 and E7 from the high-risk HPV types [21,22].

Both the anus and cervix are highly susceptible to HPV infection, and a spectrum of pathologic changes may occur as a result of HPV infection. The terminology for HPV-associated squamous lesions of the lower anogenital tract has a long history marked by various diagnostic terms derived from multiple specialties. The Lower Anogenital Squamous Terminology (LAST) project aimed to create a histopathologic nomenclature system that reflects current knowledge of HPV biology. Current data support the 2-tiered system of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) [23], which may be further qualified with the appropriate –IN terminology for specific location. Therefore, LSIL includes condyloma and CIN 1 or AIN 1, and are not considered to be precancerous. In contrast, HSIL includes p16-positive CIN 2 and AIN 2, along with CIN 3 and AIN 3. HSIL are considered to be the true cancer precursors [23].

Cervical HPV infection

In the 2011 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in the US, cervicovaginal specimens from more than 4,000 women were included in a cross-sectional analysis. The overall prevalence of 37 different types of HPV was 42.5%, which represents approximately 40 million infections [7]. The lifetime risk of having genital HPV infection is even higher, making HPV the most common viral sexually transmitted infection (STI).

HPV infection often occurs shortly after initiation of sexual activity. In one study of college-aged women, the cumulative incidence of any HPV infection at 1 year after sexual debut was 28.5%, and increased to almost 50% by 3 years [24]. HPV is usually transmitted through vaginal or anal intercourse, but it can occur through oral-genital or genital-genital contact as well. In young women who reported no previous sexual intercourse but had genital-genital or genital-oral contact, the 24-month cumulative incidence of infection was 7.9% (95% CI, 3.5–17.1) [24]. The risk of genital HPV infection among women who report only sexual experience with other women was reported to be similar to their heterosexual counterparts [25].

Despite their high prevalence, most cervical HPV infections are transient and asymptomatic, with about 70% of new infections resolving within a year [26]. Young women are more likely to clear infections than older women [27]. A negative oncogenic HPV test implies low risk of CIN3+, and a positive oncogenic HPV test implies a higher risk [28]. In one cohort, women who tested positive for an oncogenic HPV test at baseline and 2 years later had an absolute risk of CIN3+ at 12 years of 19.3% [28]. For HPV16, the risks of CIN3+ at 3, 5, and 12 years of follow-up among women with two positive tests were 8.9% (2.5–14.9%), 23.8% (14.1–32.4%), and 47.4% (34.9–57.5%), respectively [29]. Among women who do not clear their infection, studies report variable rates of progression to CIN 2/3 ranging from 8% to 28% [30–32]. Fortunately, the transition to cancer usually takes years or decades; the peak incidence of HPV infection occurs at about age 20, the peak incidence/detection of CIN3 occurs at about age 30, and the peak incidence of cancer occurs in the 40s [34]. For women with oncogenic HPV infection, smoking has been implicated as a significant risk factor for CIN3/cervical cancer [33].

Oral HPV infection

The epidemiology and natural history of oral HPV infection have not been well established. It appears that oral HPV prevalence is substantially lower than genital HPV infection, with the prevalence of any HPV infection being 4.5% in a pooled analysis [8]. In the NHANES data, prevalence of HPV had a striking bimodal pattern with age among men and was significantly higher among men than women. This is also consistent with higher rates of HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer among individuals aged 50 to 64 years and among men. Notably, prevalence was as high as 20% among those with more than 20 lifetime sexual partners or among current smokers of more than 20 cigarettes per day [76].

Head and neck cancer (HNC) mainly includes squamous cell carcinomas occurring in the oral cavity, pharynx and larynx. The role of high-risk HPV infection in the etiology of HNC has gradually emerged during the past two decades. During this period, an increase in incidence rates of oropharyngeal cancer has been reported in men in high-income countries despite decreasing rates of other tobacco-associated cancers including oral cancer [77]. In addition, the fraction of HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer increased in the same period in the US and Europe whereas no clear change was observed for other HNC [77, 78]. In a recent meta-analysis, regardless of the type of marker that had been used for detection, the probability of a non-oropharyngeal HNC being attributable to HPV is at least 5-fold lower than that for oropharyngeal cancer [79]. However, data on HPV in other less common HNCs are very limited and essentially negative. Additional studies are also needed to establish the way HPV infection and tobacco may interact in non-oropharyngeal HNC.

Anal HPV infection

In cross-sectional studies, anal HPV infection is almost universal among HIV-infected MSM, with reported prevalence estimates between 87 and 98% [35,36]. In one study, HIV-infected and HIV-negative MSM both had high rates of HPV clearance, with almost 75% of HPV infection cleared within 1 year [36]. Interestingly, HPV infection rates seem to stay constant in men, independent of age, as opposed to women, among whom the prevalence of anal HPV is highest during 18–24 years of age and then decreases until middle age, after which it generally remains steady [3]. A prospective cohort study to assess the natural history of anal HPV infection in MSM in the HAART era showed the incidence of any anal HPV infection and oncogenic anal HPV infection was 21.3/100 person-years and 13.3/100 person-years, respectively [37]. These were greater than the reported incidence of other STIs among HIV-infected MSM [37]. 20% of these men with an incident HPV infection also had more than one new HPV type detected during follow-up [38]; many had multiple oncogenic types which might be associated with a greater likelihood of AIN 2/3 [39].

Genital HPV infection, primarily penile infection, is common among sexually active heterosexual men and MSM but also that there is considerable variation in prevalence and incidence, depending on age, country, and region. In an analysis of 1,732 males aged 16–24 years old in the placebo arm of a quadrivalent HPV vaccine trial, the acquisition of genital HPV 6, 11, 16, and/or 18 in males was common and rates of HPV DNA detection were highest in men from Africa (17.2 cases per 100 person-years), while Asia-Pacific had the lowest incidence (3.2 cases per 100 person-years) [40]. The researchers also found that it took on average 6 months for genital HPV infections to clear, and most of these infections were detected when there were no visible external genital warts [40]. In Australia, when 65% of women eligible for HPV vaccines were vaccinated, proportionally fewer heterosexual men were diagnosed with genital warts during the vaccine period, consistent with herd immunity, and this effect was more pronounced in young men [82]. Given these facts, HPV vaccination of women may reduce infection in men and reduce the overall burden of HPV-associated disease in the community. Vaccination of males will also reduce the incidence of genital HPV infection in males, and could potentially produce herd immunity that benefits their male and female sexual partners.

HIV and immunosuppression

The immune system plays a major role in persistence of HPV infections, and the oncogenic potential of HPV may be enhanced by immunosuppression (Figure 1). Historically, most of the experience with immunocompromise and HPV-related diseases has been in the setting of solid organ transplant [41–43]. Organ transplant recipients have a high risk of developing other malignancies, particularly cancers that have been linked to viral infections, because of lifelong immunosuppressive therapy. More recently, HIV infection has emerged as the most common cause of immunocompromise, with a meta-analysis showing that the pattern of increased risk of cancers is similar in people with HIV/AIDS and in transplant recipients [44]. This suggests immune deficiency is an important contributor to the increased risk of cancer.

Figure 1. Anal cancer incidence in the general US population, 1980–2005.

Reprinted with permission from MS Shiels, RM Pfeiffer, AK Chaturvedi, et al, “Impact of the HIV Epidemic on the Incidence Rates of Anal Cancer in the United States,” Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 2012, 104(20):1591–8 by permission of Oxford University Press and the National Cancer Institute.

Women with HIV have high rates of cervical HPV infection, and their risks of cervical pre-cancer and cancer are increased several-fold compared with those in the general population [45–48]. With lower CD4 counts and higher plasma HIV RNA levels, the prevalence, incident detection, and persistence of HPV and CIN among HIV-infected women increases [48]. Detection of incident HPV infection and CIN is related to plasma HIV levels even when CD4 count is low [49], perhaps reflecting the detrimental effects of HIV on host immunity beyond total CD4 T cells [50].

It is not yet clear if local HIV RNA levels in the genital tract are associated with cervical HPV infection and neoplasia. One prior study reported that high cell-free genital tract HIV RNA levels were related to HPV detection [51]. Another small cross-sectional study showed CIN was not related to cervical HIV RNA detection [52]. Recently, in the Women’s Interagency HIV Study (WIHS) cohort, a nested case-control study showed risk of CIN2/3 was associated with genital tract HIV RNA levels (OR = 2.96, p=0.03) [53]. However, this association became insignificant after adjustment for plasma HIV RNA levels. Genital tract HIV RNA levels were not associated with the prevalence of any HPV or oncogenic HPV [53]. However, the incident detection of any HPV (p=0.02) and persistence of oncogenic HPV (p=0.04) were associated with genital tract HIV RNA levels, after controlling plasma HIV RNA levels [53]. These data suggest that genital tract HIV RNA levels are not a significant independent risk factor for cervical precancer in HIV-infected women, but they may influence HPV infection.

The prevalence of anal HPV infection and AIN is high among HIV-infected men and women. In a study of 357 HIV-infected MSM, over 80% had anal dysplasia and 95% had HPV infection [54]. In the San Francisco/Oakland Cancer Registry, significant increases in the population-based incidence rates of carcinoma in situ among men were observed between 2000 and 2009 [55], reflecting the high incidence of HIV infection in the preceding 20 years and the fact that these men are also at high risk of HPV infections and AIN. Among 200 HIV-infected or high-risk HIV-negative women for whom there were concurrent anal and cervical HPV data, anal HPV was more common than cervical HPV in both HIV-infected (79% anal vs 53% cervical) and HIV-negative women (43% anal vs 24% cervical) [56]. In another study, anal HPV infection was more prevalent and diverse than cervical HPV infection, and anal cytologic abnormalities were as prevalent as cervical cytologic abnormalities [57]. HIV infection has been shown to be a strong risk factor for concomitant anal and cervical HPV infection [58]. It has already been projected that screening HIV-infected MSM for AIN2/3 has been shown to prolong quality-adjusted life expectancy [59]. HIV-infected women, particularly those women with low CD4 cell counts, may also be good candidates for HPV screening and monitoring for both cervical and anal disease, as well as those with prior cervical or vulvar cancer or CIN/VIN 3.

HPV vaccination

Although there is no known cure for persistent HPV infection, 2 vaccines are currently available that protect against HPV types 16 and 18: the bivalent vaccine Cervarix™ (GlaxoSmithKline) and the quadrivalent (qHPV) vaccine Gardasil™ (Merck). The qHPV vaccine also protects against HPV types 6 and 11. Both of these vaccines are produced using recombinant technology by inserting the L1 gene into a host (either yeast or baculovirus), which then produces L1 proteins that self-assemble into virus like particles. Because these particles do not contain viral DNA, they are neither infectious nor oncogenic [60]. Both vaccines are given in a three-dose schedule as intramuscular injections. The complete series of 3 injections must be administered prior to sexual debut for these vaccines to be most effective [61].

HPV vaccination has emerged as an important element of cancer prevention. The bivalent HPV vaccine was evaluated in a phase III trial of girls and women aged 15–25 years; its efficacy against CIN2+ of 94.9% [83]. The efficacy against 6-month and 12-month persistent HPV 16 or 18 cervical infections in the per-protocol cohort was 94.3% (96.1% CI = 91.5–96.3) and 91.4% (96.1% CI = 86.1–95.0), respectively [68]. Among participants who were DNA-positive to one vaccine HPV type, the bivalent vaccine also had high efficacy (90%) for prevention of CIN2/3 associated with the type for which a female was DNA-negative at enrollment [84]. The efficacy of the qHPV vaccine for prevention of HPV-related precancerous lesions and disease is supported by studies among females. In three trials, qHPV had high efficacy (>98%) for prevention of HPV 6-, 11-, 16-, and 18-related CIN2/3 or adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), grade 2 or 3 vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN2/3), and grade 2 or 3 vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VaIN2/3) [64]. The qHPV vaccine also provided effective and durable protection again low-grade CIN, VIN and VaIN [65] (Table 1).

Table 1.

Efficacy of Approved HPV Vaccines Against Genital Lesions

Neoplasia Grade	Vaccinated/Infected (n)	Control vaccinated/Infected (n)	Vaccine Efficacy (95% CI)
CIN1 in baseline-negative cohort [72]
CIN1	4,616/241	4,680/346	29.7% (17–41%)
CIN1 (HPV 16,18)	4.616/3	4,680/107	97.2% (92–99%)
CIN1 in intention-to-treat cohort [72]
CIN1	8,562/788	8,598/984	20.3% (12–28%)
CIN1 (HPV 16, 18)	8,562/99	8,598/304	67.5% (59–74%)
CIN2+ in baseline–negative cohort [72]
CIN2+	4,616/77	4,680/136	42.7% (24–57%)
CIN2+ (HPV 16, 18)	4,616/0	4,680/45	100% (89–100%)
CIN2+ in intention-to-treat cohort [72]
CIN2+	8,562/296	8,598/367	19.3% (6–31%)
CIN2+ (HPV 16, 18)	8,562/79	8,598/168	53% (36–60%)
CIN3 in baseline-negative cohort [72]
CIN3	4,616/36	4,680/64	43% (13–63%)
CIN3 (HPV16, 18)	4,616/0	4,680/34	97.2% (92–99%)
CIN3 in intention-to-treat cohort [72]
CIN3	8,562/237	8,598/284	16.4 (0.4–30%)
CIN3 (HPV 16, 18)	8,562/100	8,598/177	43.5% (27–56%)
AIN in baseline-negative cohort [63]
Persistent HPV 16, 18	191/6	205/39	84.5% (63–95%)
AIN1+ (men)	129/12	126/28	54.9% (8–79%)
AIN2–3 (men)	194/3	208/13	74.9% (9–95%)
AIN intention-to-treat cohort [63]
Persistent HPV 16, 18	275/52	276/92	46.5% (24–63%)
AIN1+ (men)	275/74	276/103	25.7% (−1.1–46%)
AIN2–3 (men)	275/18	276/48	54.2% (18–75%)
External genital warts in baseline-negative women [65]
HPV 6, 11	4,689/4	4,735/138	97.1% (92–99%)
External genital warts in intention-to-treat women [65]
HPV 6, 11	8,689/62	8,702/298	79.3% (73–85%)
External genital warts in baseline-negative men [73]
HPV 6	1,245/3	1,244/19	84.3% (47–97%)
HPV 11	1,245/1	1,244/11	90.9% (38–100%)
External genital warts in intention-to-treat men [73]
HPV 6	1,817/63	1,815/112	44.7% (24–60%)
HPV 11	1,817/16	1,815/39	59.4% (26–79%)

In a phase III efficacy trial among men, qHPV also had high efficacy for prevention of genital warts among 4,055 males aged 16 through 26 years. Among those who received all 3 vaccine doses and were seronegative at day 1 and DNA-negative day 1 through month 7 to the respective HPV type, per-protocol efficacy for prevention of HPV 6-, 11-, 16-, and 18-related genital warts was 89.3% (95% CI = 65.3%–97.9%); efficacy for HPV 6- and 11-related genital warts was similar. Efficacy for prevention of HPV 6-, 11-, 16- and 18-related genital warts among males who received at least 1 vaccine dose, regardless of baseline infection or serology, was 68.1% (95% CI = 48.8%–80.7%) [62]. There was no clear evidence of protection from disease caused by HPV types for which boys and men were DNA-positive regardless of serostatus at baseline [62].

A sub-study of the phase III efficacy trial included 602 healthy men who have sex with men, 16 to 26 years of age, to receive either qHPV vaccine or placebo [63]. Efficacy of the qHPV vaccine against AIN associated with HPV-6, 11, 16, or 18 was 50.3% (95% CI = 25.7–67.2) in the intention-to-treat population and 77.5% (95% CI = 39.6–93.3) in the per-protocol efficacy population; the corresponding efficacies against AIN associated with HPV of any type were 25.7% (95% CI = −1.1–45.6) and 54.9% (95% CI = 8.4–79.1), respectively. The rate of AIN2/3 related to infection with HPV-6, 11, 16, or 18 was reduced by 54.2% (95% CI = 18.0–75.3) in the intention-to-treat population and by 74.9% (95% CI = 8.8–95.4) in the per-protocol efficacy population. The corresponding risks of persistent anal infection with HPV-6, 11, 16, or 18 were reduced by 59.4% (95% CI = 43.0–71.4) and 94.9% (95% CI = 80.4–99.4), respectively. At this time, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends routine vaccination with bivalent or qHPV vaccine for females aged 11 or 12 years and with qHPV vaccine for males aged 11 or 12 years. Vaccination also is recommended for females aged 13–26 years and for males aged 13–21 years who were not vaccinated previously. MSM may be vaccinated may be vaccinated up to 26 years of age.

The burden of HPV-associated disease has been abundantly demonstrated in people with HIV/AIDS. While the secondary prevention strategy for cervical and anal cancer has doubtlessly saved lives, primary prevention of HPV infection in this population is critically needed. Two separate AIDS Malignancy Consortium trials evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of qHPV vaccine in HIV-infected men and women. In HIV-infected men and women, seroconversion rates for HPV types contained in the vaccine were well over 80% [66,67]. No adverse effects on CD4 counts and plasma HIV-1 RNA levels were observed [66]. Women with HIV RNA load >10,000 copies/mL and/or CD4 count <200 cells/µL had lower rates of seroconversion rates [67]. Currently, ACIP and the World Health Organization recommend administration of HIV-infected women with either bivalent or qHPV vaccine through age 26 years for those who have not been vaccinated previously or who have not completed the 3-dose series [80]. ACIP also recommends qHPV vaccination of HIV-infected men up to the age of 26 years.

While both the bivalent and qHPV vaccines have been shown to be safe and highly effective against vaccine-type persistent HPV infection and lesions, there is growing interest in preventing a wider range of HPV types beyond HPV 16 and 18 since HPV 16 and 18 cause only 70% of cervical cancers. Recent results suggest that the bivalent vaccine may confer some cross-protection against high-risk HPV types -31, -33, -45, -52, and -58 [68–71]. In December 2014, the U.S. FDA approved Merck’s nonavalent HPV vaccine (Gardasil 9). In addition to HPV-16/18, the nonavalent vaccine also targets HPV-types 31/33/45/52/58. These seven HPV types cause approximately 50% of cases of CIN 1, 85–90% of HPV-related vulvar cancers, 80–85% of HPV-related vaginal cancers, and 90–95% of HPV-related anal cancers [46].

The nonavalent HPV vaccine was studied in 6 clinical trials including over 13,000 individuals aged 9–26 years. It was found to be safe, with efficacy of 93% of higher against anogenital lesions/cancers caused by the included HPV types [74]. At least 99.7% of individuals included in the analyses for each HPV type became seropositive for that type by Month 7. Its effectiveness against persistent infection and disease related to HPV types 6, 11, 16, or 18 was inferred from non-inferiority comparisons in girls and women age 9–26 of geometric mean titers (GMTs) following vaccination with the nonavalent vaccine with those following vaccination with qHPV [74]. The nonavalent vaccine prevented HPV 31-, 33-, 45-, 52-, and 58-related persistent infection and disease and also reduced the incidence of HPV 31-, 33-, 45-, 52-, and 58-related cytologic abnormalities, cervical and external genital lesions on biopsy, and definitive therapy. Effectiveness of the nonavalent vaccine against anal lesions was inferred from the efficacy of qHPV against anal lesions caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18 in men and antibody responses elicited by the nonavalent vaccine against the HPV types covered by the vaccine. In addition, the safety profile of the nonavalent vaccine was similar in those who previously received the qHPV vaccine as in those who were naïve to HPV vaccination [74].

The projected population-level effectiveness of the nonavalent HPV vaccine was evaluated by an individual-based, transmission-dynamic model of HPV infection and disease [75]. Switching to a nonavalent vaccine has the potential to further reduce precancerous lesions and cervical cancer. However, in men it has been predicted that the nonavalent vaccine could only make incremental gains over the qHPV vaccine over 30 years. This is because most HPV-related cancers are caused by HPV-16/18 for which the first-generation HPV vaccines are highly effective against. The nonavalent vaccine has already been approved for girls and women age 9–26 and boys 9–15 for prevention of warts, precancerous lesions and cancer in the lower genital tract. It is currently under review by ACIP to determine how this vaccine will be implemented in the U.S. population.

Conclusion

HPV is one of the most common STIs. The most important clinical consequence of HPV infection is cervical cancer. However, HPV-related cancers in men also cause significant morbidity and mortality. More research is required to realize better insight into the natural history of oral HPV infection. It is not effective or practical to routinely screen men and women for HPV. The three prophylactic HPV vaccines are proven to be highly efficacious against persistent cervical infections, and against anal infections in the case of the qHPV vaccine. Although not demonstrated in randomized controlled trials, they may prevent oral HPV infection as well. The focus of organized HPV cancer prevention programs should include both reduction of the HPV disease burden among those already exposed to HPV, and HPV vaccination to reduce the burden of high-risk HPV and low-risk HPV types who have not yet been exposed.