Loading...
Human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18 (2 of approximately 15 oncogenic HPV types) are globally responsible for about 70% of cervical cancers. Vaccination with protein viruslike particles (VLPs) provides protection against the HPV types included in the vaccine — but would a type-specific vaccine hasten viral clearance in women already infected with HPV-16/18? Investigators analyzed results from 1500 Costa Rican women (age range, 18–25) who tested positive for HPV-16 or -18 and who were randomized to receive HPV-16/18 VLP vaccine or hepatitis A vaccine (control). Cervical cell HPV DNA testing was repeated at 6 months (the time of the last vaccine dose) and at 12 months.
At 6 months, clearance rates for HPV-16/18 were similar for the treat…