Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Approved to Prevent Anal Cancer

The incidence of anal cancer is increasing, and most such cancers are linked to infection with human papillomavirus (HPV). Gardasil has received approval for use in females aged 9 to 26 to prevent cervical, vulvar, and vaginal cancers (as well as the associated precancerous lesions) caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18, and for use in both males and females to prevent genital warts caused by HPV types 6 and 11. On December 22, 2010, the FDA expanded the indications for this vaccine to include prevention of anal cancer and precancerous lesions caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18 in people aged 9 through 26.

This expansion was based on the results of a double-blind, randomized, phase III trial of 4055 boys and men. As part of this study, re…