Effects of the age of vaccination on the humoral responses to a human papillomavirus vaccine

Abstract

Adult vaccination programs are receiving increasing attention however, little is known regarding the impact of age on the maintenance of the immune response. We investigated this issue in the context of a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program collecting real-world data on the durability of humoral immunity in 315 female subjects stratified according to vaccination age (adolescents and adults) and sampled at early or late time points after the last vaccine dose. HPV-specific IgGs, but not memory B cells, were induced and maintained at higher levels in subjects vaccinated during adolescence. Nonetheless, antibody functions waned over time to a similar degree in adolescents and adults. To shed light on this phenomena, we analyzed quantitative and qualitative properties of lymphocytes. Similar biochemical features were observed between B-cell subsets from individuals belonging to the two age groups. Long term humoral responses toward vaccines administered at an earlier age were comparably maintained between adolescents and adults. The percentages of naïve B and CD4+ T cells were significantly higher in adolescents, and the latter directly correlated with IgG titers against 3 out of 4 HPV types. Our results indicate that age-specific HPV vaccine responsiveness is mostly due to quantitative differences of immune cell precursors rather than qualitative defects in B cells. In addition, our results indicate that adults also have a good humoral immunogenic profile, suggesting that their inclusion in catch-up programmes is desirable.

From awareness to action: Unveiling knowledge, attitudes and testing strategies to enhance human papillomavirus vaccination uptake in Jordan

“…13 Ten to fourteen years old adolescents produce a significantly greater quantity of antibodies after HPV vaccination compared to girls and women aged 18–53 years. 14 Further, HPV vaccines generate a much stronger antibody response than what naturally occurs in response to HPV infection. 15 Recent studies and reviews have also indicated that administering adjuvant HPV vaccination following the treatment of HPV-related diseases is linked to a decreased risk of recurrence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).…”

Screening and detection of multivalent human papillomavirus antibodies using a high-throughput liquid chip fluoroimmunoassay system

“…Vaccines against human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are also now gaining greater recognition. 1 There are various types of HPVs: some low-risk viruses cause warts, while other high-risk viruses are closely associated with pre-neoplastic lesions and carcinomas, [2][3][4] including cervical carcinoma, which is the second most common cancer in women worldwide. 5 A safe and effective vaccine must be comprehensively characterized and subjected to quality control throughout its lifecycle from product development and manufacture to international distribution.…”