{"id":28472,"date":"2022-11-21T11:11:22","date_gmt":"2022-11-21T11:11:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.cancerresearchuk.org\/?p=24907"},"modified":"2024-11-03T15:13:12","modified_gmt":"2024-11-03T15:13:12","slug":"into-the-archives-the-story-of-hpv-and-cervical-cancer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ogkologos.com\/en\/into-the-archives-the-story-of-hpv-and-cervical-cancer\/","title":{"rendered":"Into the archives: the story of HPV and cervical cancer"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a huge achievement by lots and lots of people. It\u2019s nice to think that this next generation will probably never really have to worry about cervical cancer in this country.\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Last year, a monumental moment on a cold November day saw the publication of a long-awaited study. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

The results of that study, <\/span>published in the <\/span>Lancet<\/span><\/i><\/a>, <\/span><\/i>and carried out by our researchers, found that the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine was shown to dramatically reduce cervical cancer rates by almost 90% in women in their 20s who were offered it at ages 12 to 13.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Professor Peter Sasieni<\/p>

” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/news.cancerresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Peter-Saseni-CROP.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/news.cancerresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Peter-Saseni-CROP.jpg” class=” size-full wp-image-24919″ src=”https:\/\/news.cancerresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Peter-Saseni-CROP.jpg” alt=”Headshot of Peter Sasieni” width=”150″ height=”200″><\/p>

Professor Peter Sasieni<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Peter Sasieni, lead author on the paper and based at Kings College London, has been researching cervical cancer for the majority of his career. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy immediate reaction was that we better check this \u2013 it\u2019s too good to be true,\u201d he says, when reflecting on the outcome of the study. \u201cI thought that we might be reducing cases of cancer by 50%. And then to see over 80% reduction is just stunning.\u201d <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

This year, to celebrate 20 years of Cancer Research UK and 120 years of lifesaving research, we\u2019ve been looking back in time and digging into the archives to explore some of the impact we\u2019ve had in cancer research. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

From helping to strengthen the understanding of the link between HPV and cervical cancer, to working towards reducing cervical cancer to the point where almost no one develops it, our history with this particular disease goes way back. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Looking for a link<\/span> <\/span><\/h2>\n

The first suggestion that cervical cancer was linked to HPV <\/span>flew in the face of dogma at the time<\/span><\/a>. The discovery caused a stir because, at that point, most scientists didn\u2019t think any common cancers could be caused by a virus. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

German virologist Harold zur Hausen had read reports from doctors about women with genital warts also developing cervical cancer, and had also heard about the work of US researcher Richard Shope from the 1930s, showing that infection with<\/span> a type of papillomavirus<\/span><\/a> could cause warts and cancers in rabbits. He figured that a similar virus might be responsible for human cancers and set out to find it.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

After testing cervical cancer samples for HPV, it became apparent that there were many different types of the virus (in fact, there are over 100 variations). In the early 1980s, zur Hausen and his team continued their search and discovered HPV-16, which their small studies detected in<\/span> about half of cervical cancers samples<\/span><\/a> (35-61%), <\/span>then HPV-18, present in<\/span> around <\/span>one in five cervical cancer samples<\/span><\/a> (15-25%), although there was some variation between countries.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Electron microscopy image of HPV<\/p>

” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/news.cancerresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Papilloma_Virus_HPV_EM_Dr-Graham-Beards-CC-BY-SA-4.0-httpscreativecommons.orglicensesby-sa4.0-via-Wikimedia-Commons-CROP.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/news.cancerresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Papilloma_Virus_HPV_EM_Dr-Graham-Beards-CC-BY-SA-4.0-httpscreativecommons.orglicensesby-sa4.0-via-Wikimedia-Commons-CROP.jpg” loading=”lazy” class=” size-full wp-image-24918″ src=”https:\/\/news.cancerresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Papilloma_Virus_HPV_EM_Dr-Graham-Beards-CC-BY-SA-4.0-httpscreativecommons.orglicensesby-sa4.0-via-Wikimedia-Commons-CROP.jpg” alt=”Electron microscopy image of HPV” width=”200″ height=”200″ srcset=”https:\/\/news.cancerresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Papilloma_Virus_HPV_EM_Dr-Graham-Beards-CC-BY-SA-4.0-httpscreativecommons.orglicensesby-sa4.0-via-Wikimedia-Commons-CROP.jpg 200w, https:\/\/news.cancerresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Papilloma_Virus_HPV_EM_Dr-Graham-Beards-CC-BY-SA-4.0-httpscreativecommons.orglicensesby-sa4.0-via-Wikimedia-Commons-CROP-150×150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/news.cancerresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Papilloma_Virus_HPV_EM_Dr-Graham-Beards-CC-BY-SA-4.0-httpscreativecommons.orglicensesby-sa4.0-via-Wikimedia-Commons-CROP-96×96.jpg 96w” sizes=”(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px”><\/p>

Electron microscopy image of HPV Credit: Dr Graham Beards, CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a>, via Wikimedia Commons <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

It was coming into sharp focus that infection with these 2 types of HPV was closely linked to cervical cancer \u2013 a discovery that eventually<\/span> won zur Hausen a Nobel Prize<\/span><\/a> in 2008.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

This work demonstrated that HPV is a \u2018necessary but not sufficient cause\u2019 for cervical cancer \u2013 meaning the cancer cannot develop in the absence of HPV, though having HPV does not mean cancer will definitely develop. And to this day, the relationship between cervical cancer and HPV is unique \u2013 no other risk factors have been identified as a necessary cause of cancer.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

But despite zur Hausen\u2019s discovery, it wasn\u2019t always smooth sailing, and it took decades of work and researchers from all over the world to eventually reach the <\/span>pivotal moment we saw just last year<\/span><\/a>.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Building a body of evidence<\/span> <\/span><\/h2>\n

About a decade after the link between HPV and cervical cancer had first been established, Sasieni found himself in an unusual situation. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was giving a talk at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, as a young researcher, to a fairly big audience for me at that age, and the person chairing it, I think, just to be provocative, said, \u2018Okay, let\u2019s take a vote. How many people believe Peter, that HPV is a cause of cervical cancer\u2019 And the majority of the audience voted to say that they didn\u2019t believe HPV caused cervical cancer,\u201d he recalls. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThese were gynaecologist seeing patients with cervical cancer regularly. And they weren\u2019t convinced by the evidence at that point.\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

But things were changing behind the scenes as a body of evidence was mounting. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Between 1987 to 1995 Professor Karen Vousden, our former chief scientist, led the HPV group at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research in Oxford. Her work pinpointed the specific viral molecules required by HPV-16 to enable cells to continually reproduce and cause cancer.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Around the same time, the International Biological Study on Cervical Cancer group (part funded by our predecessor Cancer Research Campaign) was set up to look at cervical cancer on a global scale. Using samples from 22 countries, they <\/span>found HPV in more than 9 out of every 10 cervical cancer samples<\/span><\/a> \u2013 93% \u2013 and this figure was similar across the globe.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

But even this number turned out to be an underestimate. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

There is <\/span>one paper in particular<\/span><\/a>, published in 1999, that Sasieni cites as having a huge impact. A group which included one of our scientists, Julian Peto, diligently dissected nearly 1000 cervical cancer samples collected from around the world. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

These results showed that HPV was present in 99.7.% of the samples that could be analysed. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\n

HPV and cervical cancer \u2013 the basics<\/span> <\/span><\/h3>\n

HPV is extremely common, infecting the skin and the cells lining the inside of the body. Most people will have an HPV infection in their lifetime, but most of the time HPV infection doesn\u2019t cause any problems and clears up by itself. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s only when certain types, or strains, of the virus can\u2019t be fought off by the body\u2019s immune system that they can cause damage that can lead to cancer. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

HPV 16 and 18 cause at least 7 in 10 cervical cancer cases in every country in the world. HPV infection has been linked to other cancers too, including anal, penile, vaginal and vulval cancers, and some mouth and throat cancers.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\"Graphic<\/p>\n

Copy this link to share our graphic.<\/a> Credit: Cancer Research UK <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cThings changed in the lifetime of a lot of people, certainly in the medical community, if not the scientific community. People went from not being convinced that HPV was a cause of cervical cancer, to establishing beyond any doubt that it\u2019s a cause.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut people always say that the ultimate test of whether something is a cause is that if you then take that factor away, do you see a reduction?\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

So, whilst the link between HPV and cancer had been validated, the next question was whether a vaccine to prevent HPV, and in turn cervical cancer, would be possible. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Underpinning research into the HPV vaccine<\/span> <\/span><\/h2>\n

The UK first introduced HPV vaccination in 2008, with girls aged 11-13 offered the vaccine in a schools-based programme. Since September 2019, boys of the same age can also get the vaccine, and a catch-up programme is now available to women up to their 25<\/span>th<\/span> birthday. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to the schools-based programme, the HPV vaccine programme has also been available to men who have sex with men aged 18-45 through sexual health and HIV clinics since 2016. This has since been extended to cover some trans and non-binary people. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

The development of the HPV vaccine was ultimately led by pharmaceutical companies, but the groundwork and scientific theory behind the vaccines was laid by scientists and clinicians, including many of our own. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

The vaccine against HPV had unusual beginnings. In the 1950s, vets were looking for a vaccine for cattle to protect them from bovine papillomavirus, which can cause tumours in cows.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

This research turned out to be relevant to human disease too \u2013 our researchers in the Beatson Institute in Glasgow proved that a vaccine containing a molecule very similar to one made by HPV 16 <\/span>protected calves from infection<\/span><\/a>, providing solid grounds for investigating a human vaccine.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

The two <\/span>scientists<\/span> widely <\/span>credited<\/span> with <\/span>developing the HPV vaccine<\/span><\/a> are Professor<\/span> Ian Frazer<\/span> and Dr Jian Zhou, although others also carried out pivotal research in this area. <\/span>The pair came up with the basis of the vaccine in Queensland, Australia, but they met and began their studies on an HPV vaccine in Cambridge while they were working in Professor Lionel Crawford\u2019s lab. Crawford was a Cancer Research UK scientist and an expert on cancer and virology (most famous for his partnership with Professor David Lane and their<\/span> discovery of p53<\/span><\/a>,<\/span> the \u201cguardian of the genome\u201d).<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Syringe containing HPV vaccine<\/p>

” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/news.cancerresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/HPV-vaccine-Credit-Ted-Eytan-CROP-300×168.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/news.cancerresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/HPV-vaccine-Credit-Ted-Eytan-CROP.jpg” loading=”lazy” class=”wp-image-24915 size-full” src=”https:\/\/news.cancerresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/HPV-vaccine-Credit-Ted-Eytan-CROP.jpg” alt=”Syringe containing HPV vaccine” width=”620″ height=”348″ srcset=”https:\/\/news.cancerresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/HPV-vaccine-Credit-Ted-Eytan-CROP.jpg 620w, https:\/\/news.cancerresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/HPV-vaccine-Credit-Ted-Eytan-CROP-300×168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/news.cancerresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/HPV-vaccine-Credit-Ted-Eytan-CROP-220×123.jpg 220w, https:\/\/news.cancerresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/HPV-vaccine-Credit-Ted-Eytan-CROP-150×84.jpg 150w” sizes=”(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px”><\/p>

Syringe containing HPV vaccine Credit: Ted Eytan, CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a>, via Flicker <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

A wave of studies, including a number authored by our scientists, confirmed that HPV vaccination is effective in preventing HPV infection, genital warts, and high-grade <\/span>precancerous cell changes in the cervix<\/span><\/a>.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

But as the vaccine was only introduced in the 2000s, it hasn\u2019t been possible until recently to definitively say that the vaccine also reduces cases of cervical cancer \u2013 the ultimate goal of the vaccination program. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

One study, coming from <\/span>research conducted in Sweden<\/span><\/a>, found that HPV vaccination resulted in a 63% lower risk of cervical cancer incidence in vaccinated women by age 30, when compared to unvaccinated women.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t until last year that the full scale of England\u2019s vaccination programme success was realised, when Sasieni and colleagues published a paper showing that the bivalent HPV vaccine (which protects against HPV 16 and 18) dramatically <\/span>reduced cervical cancer rates by almost 90%<\/span><\/a> in women in their 20s who were offered it at age 12 to 13.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

But the HPV vaccine on its own wouldn\u2019t be enough to protect generations from cervical cancer. All the while, scientists and clinicians were also developing and adapting a national screening programme.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Cervical cancer screening<\/span> <\/span><\/h2>\n

People often credit the key paper advocating for cervical screening as <\/span>Papanicalaou and Traut<\/span><\/a>, who published their study during the Second World War. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPeople say it didn\u2019t really have the impact it should have because it was published during the war,\u201d says Sasieni. But fundamentally, that paper was seen as the first to suggest that from a small sample of cells from the cervix, known as a cytology test, we could identify cancer and that there isn\u2019t need for a whole biopsy. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Cervical cancer cell<\/p>

” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/news.cancerresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Cervical-cancer-cell-CROP.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/news.cancerresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Cervical-cancer-cell-CROP.jpg” loading=”lazy” class=” size-full wp-image-24914″ src=”https:\/\/news.cancerresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Cervical-cancer-cell-CROP.jpg” alt=”Cervical cancer cell” width=”200″ height=”200″ srcset=”https:\/\/news.cancerresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Cervical-cancer-cell-CROP.jpg 200w, https:\/\/news.cancerresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Cervical-cancer-cell-CROP-150×150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/news.cancerresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Cervical-cancer-cell-CROP-96×96.jpg 96w” sizes=”(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px”><\/p>

Cervical cancer cell<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Cervical screening was formally introduced in England in 1964, but it was rolled out in a \u2018haphazard\u2019 way.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was not properly organised and there was no quality management,\u201d adds Sasieni, \u201cI don\u2019t think there was any guidance on how to take a smear, and there was probably very little standard on cytology testing and reading cytology.\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

The flaws of this approach <\/span>became apparent in the mid-1980s<\/span><\/a> and led to the creation of the National Health Service Cervical Screening Programme (NHSCSP) in 1988. Almost immediately, cervical cancer <\/span>mortality rates began to fall<\/span><\/a> and by the end of the 20<\/span>th<\/span> century cervical cancer in the UK was about half as common as it had been.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

The screening programme for cervical cancer continued to adapt as the evidence continued to evolve, including a critical switch in the type of test used.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Switching to primary HPV testing<\/span> <\/span><\/h3>\n

Even when cells in the cervix show up as abnormal, it doesn\u2019t necessarily mean they\u2019ll lead to cancer \u2013 sometimes, abnormal cells can disappear on their own accord and don\u2019t need treating. So, researchers wondered whether there was a way to predict which abnormal cells were at higher risk of developing into cancer, and which were more likely to disappear untreated.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

From the early 2000s onwards, our scientists proved that testing for HPV before testing for cell changes (known as primary HPV testing) could be a more effective warning system for preventing cervical cancer than the traditional cytology test.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Clinician holding liquid based cytology test<\/p>

” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/news.cancerresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Liquid-based-cytology-test-CROP-200×200-1.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/news.cancerresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Liquid-based-cytology-test-CROP-200×200-1.jpg” loading=”lazy” class=” size-full wp-image-24924″ src=”https:\/\/news.cancerresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Liquid-based-cytology-test-CROP-200×200-1.jpg” alt=”Clinician holding Liquid based cytology test” width=”200″ height=”200″ srcset=”https:\/\/news.cancerresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Liquid-based-cytology-test-CROP-200×200-1.jpg 200w, https:\/\/news.cancerresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Liquid-based-cytology-test-CROP-200×200-1-150×150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/news.cancerresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Liquid-based-cytology-test-CROP-200×200-1-96×96.jpg 96w” sizes=”(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px”><\/p>

Liquid based cytology test<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

A cytology test looks at cervical cells in the sample first and aims to detect any unusual changes that could be precancerous. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

In 2003, <\/span>a study funded by us<\/span><\/a> and led by Professor Jack Cuzick, suggested that testing for HPV first could be used for primary screening in women older than 30 years old, with cytology then used to triage HPV-positive women.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

But implementing change was a slow process. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Liquid based cytology<\/span><\/a> (instead of the conventional \u2018pap smear\u2019) was introduced in 2003 and primary HPV testing wasn\u2019t introduced for another 5 or 6 years. I think it\u2019s because they\u2019ve just had this major upheaval to introduce liquid based cytology, that they then didn\u2019t want to introduce primary HPV testing.\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

In 2017, Sasieni himself presented research that showed that the introduction of primary HPV testing into the cervical screening programme could <\/span>prevent around 24% of current cervical cancer cases<\/span><\/a> in women invited for screening in England. This figure is equivalent to 487 cancers per year, based on 2013 incidence figures.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat paper highlighted the need to implement things more quickly, calling for that change to happen as soon as possible.\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Early on in 2019, the results of an NHS pilot study, supported by us, to test the feasibility of primary HPV cervical screening in a real-life setting, revealed that a switch to HPV screening is effective. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

This eventually led to primary HPV screening being rolled out in Wales in 2018, in England at the end of 2019 and in Scotland in 2020. These changes led to a call for cervical screening intervals to be extended, a recommendation which has already been <\/span>adopted in Wales <\/span><\/a>and Scotland. Although Northern Ireland has not moved to HPV primary testing, we hope this change will be implemented soon.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Testing for HPV first is a much more effective way of screening. So much so that the same benefits of cervical screening can be delivered even with larger gaps between screens.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

This May, a new study which was part funded by Cancer Research UK used real-world data to confirm that HPV testing as the first-line test on cervical samples is more accurate at predicting who is at risk of developing cervical cancer. It found that in women under 50, those who tested negative with HPV testing were significantly less likely to develop abnormal cells or cervical cancer by their second screen than those who tested negative with cytology testing. Alongside previous research, this showed that the time interval between screens can be <\/span>safely extended for those who test negative for HPV<\/span><\/a>. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Cervical cancer screening \u2013 the basics<\/span> <\/span><\/h3>\n

\u2018<\/span>HPV primary testing<\/span><\/a>\u2019<\/span>, the process used in most of the UK, involves a health professional, usually a practice nurse, taking a sample from the cervix which is then sent off to the lab. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

The laboratory will then check for HPV types linked to cancer. If HPV is found, the laboratory will test the sample for abnormal cell changes.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Cervical screening is for anyone with a cervix aged 25 to 64, <\/span>including some trans and non-binary people.<\/span><\/a> The screen is routinely carried out by a health professional at your GP surgery, a sexual health clinic or other specialist clinics.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Cervical cancer on a global scale <\/span> <\/span><\/h2>\n

Despite the success of the HPV vaccine, the story is far from finished. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Between vaccination and various forms of screening, we really do have the tools to tackle cervical cancer globally. And I think it\u2019s imperative that we do,\u201d says Sasieni. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>World Health Organisation\u2019s strategy<\/span><\/a> to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem has outlined a powerful case and a range of effective measures for reducing cervical cancer incidence and mortality. But in order to achieve the target of eliminating the disease as a public health problem, financial commitments, political will, and public demand are all essential, and each of these aspects requires a context-specific and culturally relevant approach. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t just say one size fits all for how you should implement this strategy worldwide. Because there are a whole variety of things that need to be considered, from healthcare priorities, to infrastructure, to international trade\u201d confirms Sasieni.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s why we\u2019re researching techniques and methods that could play a role in overcoming some of these obstacles. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\"Person<\/p>\n

The future of preventing cervical cancer<\/span><\/h2>\n

We are supporting research to ensure more people globally are able to be vaccinated against HPV. We are proud to be co-funding \u2014 with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the National Cancer Institute \u2014 the PRIMAVERA trial in Costa Rica. The trial tests the protective immunity of a single dose of the HPV vaccine, which would largely reduce the cost and streamline the logistics of vaccination programmes globally. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

The evidence on a single dose regimen of HPV vaccine is rapidly growing, and it is likely that one dose of the HPV vaccine provides comparable protection against HPV infection and cervical cancer as two doses. Based on this, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, who advises UK health departments on immunisation, has recently advised that children taking up the vaccine, and for men who have sex with men up to the age of 25, are given 1 dose rather than 2. A 2-dose schedule has been advised for men who have sex with men over 25, and 3-doses for immunosuppressed individuals and those who are HIV-positive. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

On a global scale, moving to a single dose schedule could be a huge step in ensuring equitable access to the HPV vaccine across the world.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

We also fund policy research and <\/span>advocacy<\/span><\/a> i<\/span>n low- and middle-income countries to ensure that, through increased access to and uptake in HPV vaccination, a future in which <\/span>almost no one develops cervical cancer<\/span><\/a> can be a reality all over the world<\/span><\/p>\n

Some of our researchers are also looking into the role self-sampling might play. HPV testing of <\/span>self-collected samples<\/span><\/a> has the potential to overcome several barriers to uptake and may help to reduce inequalities in cervical screening coverage in specific groups of individuals<\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s a whole host of other innovative research going on in the field, explains Sasieni. \u201cSome people are looking at urine samples, others are also looking at whether you could just take a menstrual pad of some sort, and just test the blood there for HPV, so you wouldn\u2019t have to be doing any special sampling,\u201d he says. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut to implement these, there needs to be a system in place. A large part of screening has got to be that you can actually get the result of the test back to the person who was screened and make treatment available. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo we need to think about what we can do to see a big reduction in cervical cancer quickly. That means some combination of screening with vaccination because vaccination is if you like, today\u2019s solution for tomorrow. But if we want to see an impact on cervical cancer over the next decade, the next 2 decades, we need to see a combination of vaccination and screening, and of course treatment.\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

More on this topic<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n

Source<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cIt\u2019s a huge achievement by lots and lots of people. It\u2019s nice to think that this next generation will probably never really have to worry about cervical cancer in this country.\u201d Last year, a monumental moment on a cold November day saw the publication of a long-awaited study. The results of that study, published in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5137],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-28472","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-world-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ogkologos.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28472","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ogkologos.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ogkologos.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ogkologos.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ogkologos.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28472"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ogkologos.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28472\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":43143,"href":"https:\/\/ogkologos.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28472\/revisions\/43143"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ogkologos.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28472"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ogkologos.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28472"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ogkologos.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28472"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}