Human Papillomavirus Epidemiology and Prevention: Is There Still a Gender Gap?

Abstract

Background and aim: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is sexually transmitted, one of the three most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in both males and females, and the most common viral STI. A crucial public health strategy to protect people against HPV is vaccination, which has shown its effectiveness in preventing HPV-related diseases. Presently, three types of vaccines are available (bivalent, quadrivalent, and nonvalent), and they all target the two most oncogenic virus genotypes (HPV 16 and 18). In recent years, the need to implement vaccination programmes that include all genders has been discussed in order to achieve herd immunity against HPV. To date, only a few countries have included young males in their vaccination programmes. Thus, our objective with this review is to provide an overview of the epidemiology of HPV and HPV prevention strategies and report the latest findings from the scientific literature.

CRISPR-Based Multiplex Detection of Human Papillomaviruses for One-Pot Point-of-Care Diagnostics

“…Globally, human papillomavirus (HPV) infections contribute approximately 4.5% of all malignancies, accounting for 8.6% of cancer cases in women (the third most prevalent cause with a high mortality) and 0.8% of cases in men. − In 2020, nearly 600,000 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer worldwide, leading to 300,000 associated deaths . Based on the severity of this preventable cancer, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a global 90–70–90 call-to-action, setting clear targets to reduce cervical cancer by 2030 and irradicate HPV by 2100 through increasing HPV vaccination to 90% of the world’s population, implementing twice-lifetime screening in 70% of the female population, and treating 90% of cervical cancer patients .…”

STINGing Defenses: Unmasking the Mechanisms of DNA Oncovirus-Mediated Immune Escape

“…However, when persistence occurs, HPV can become a risk factor for malignant transformation. Over 200 HPV types have been identified, that can be classified into two categories: low-risk HPVs responsible for anogenital and cutaneous warts, and high-risk HPVs responsible for cervical, anogenital, and oropharyngeal cancers [ 40 , 41 , 42 ]. With an estimated 604,000 new cases and 342,000 deaths worldwide in 2020, cervical cancer ranks fourth in cancer incidence and mortality among women [ 43 ].…”

Human Papillomavirus Vaccination in Pediatric, Adolescent, and Young Adult Cancer Survivors—Opportunity to Address Gaps in Cancer Prevention and Survivorship

“…However, PYAC survivors are at increased risk for infections and secondary malignancies due to the long-lasting immunosuppressive effects of cancer therapy (i.e., chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and bone marrow transplantation) [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S. and the central etiologic factor for almost all cervical cancers and most anal, oropharyngeal, and genital cancers [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ].…”

“…It is estimated that 70% of oropharyngeal cancers are preventable with HPV vaccination, in addition to 90% of cervical and anal cancers, 60–70% of vaginal and vulvar cancers, and 70% of penile cancers [ 18 , 19 , 20 ]. Vaccination is imperative for preventing HPV-related disease because, aside from cervical and anal cancer screening tests (e.g., Papanicolaou (Pap) test, HPV DNA tests), there is a lack of screening tools for other types of HPV-related cancers [ 7 ]. However, HPV vaccination rates in the U.S. remain suboptimal, attributed to missed opportunities for vaccination (i.e., health visits during which at least one vaccine, other than the HPV vaccine, is received) [ 21 , 22 , 23 ].…”