Moffitt Demonstrates Incidence of HPV-caused Cancer and Effectiveness of Vaccine in Men
Cervical cancer was once the leading cause of cancer death in the world, but a vaccine to prevent human papillomavirus changed all that. Today, with just one vaccine, we can prevent four different types of cancer affecting both women and men. We have already seen the significance in lowering cervical cancer in women. But more work is needed to lower the incidence in men.Dr. Anna Giuliano, director of Moffitt’s Center for Infection Research in Cancer, led two studies on human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in men. The first estimated the incidence and clearance of type-specific genital HPV infection in men. The second studied the safety and efficacy of the HPV vaccine (Gardasil ®) against anal cancer and genital warts in men. The vaccine had a favorable safety profile and may help to reduce the risk of anal cancer. Her work strengthened the United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) recommendation for boys and men to receive HPV vaccinations and provided useful data for the development of realistic cost-effectiveness models for male HPV vaccination internationally.
About HPV and Cancer
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the major risk factor for developing cervical cancer. Not all women with HPV infection, however, will develop cervical cancer. Women who do not regularly have a Pap smear to detect HPV or abnormal cells in the cervix are at increased risk of cervical cancer. Women are not alone in being susceptible to cancer caused by HPV. Recent research, including the research of Dr. Giuliano, has shown the role of the virus in head and neck, penile and anal cancers in both women and men.
The possibilities within the field of infection research are global in scale. To further identify cancer-causing agents and revolutionize the standard of care patients, Moffitt has established the Center for Infection Research in Cancer (CIRC). The purpose of the CIRC at Moffitt is to reveal the role of infectious agents in the origin of cancer and translate this knowledge into novel and effective strategies for the prevention and treatment of cancer. Moffitt is uniquely positioned to create this premier infection and cancer research center. / Direct Benefit to State
Prevention of cancer reduces morbidity, mortality and costs of care
Direct Benefit to Patient
Preventative cure available for 90 percent of HPV-caused cancers in men and women
Moffitt’s Contribution
Contributed to understanding the connection between HPV and cancer in men
Research Area
Infection research in cancer
Further Reading
Moffitt’s Center for Infection Research in Cancer
New England Journal of Medicine, October 2011,
(PMID: 22029979)
http://1.usa.gov/Yayj35
The Lancet
March 2011
(PMID: 21367446)
http://1.usa.gov/WGqYsH