Inverse Association Between Melanoma and Previous Vaccinations Against Tuberculosis and Smallpox: Results of the FEBIM Study

Pfahlberg, Annette; Kölmel, K. F.; Grange, John M.; Mastrangelo, Giuseppe; Krone, Bernd; Botev, I.; Niin, Marianne; Seebacher, C; Lambert, D; Shafir, Raphael; Schneider, Daniela; Kokoschka, E. M.; Kleeberg, Ulrich R.; Uter, Wolfgang; Gefeller, Olaf

doi:10.1046/j.1523-1747.2002.00643.x

Cited by 78 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…However, the larger arm-circumference among vaccinia-vaccinated adults may suggest that a biological process is involved. Furthermore, several case control and cohort studies from high-income countries have indicated that vaccinia vaccination may have had a protective effect against such diverse diseases as malignant melanoma [24], [25], rhabdomyosarcoma [26], Crohn's disease [27], asthma [23], and multiple sclerosis [28]. One study found better survival among malignant melanoma patients who had a vaccinia vaccination [29].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vaccinia Scars Associated with Improved Survival among Adults in Rural Guinea-Bissau

et al. 2006

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BackgroundIn urban Guinea-Bissau, adults with a vaccinia scar had better survival but also a higher prevalence of HIV-2 infection. We therefore investigated the association between vaccinia scar and survival and HIV infection in a rural area of Guinea-Bissau.Methodology/Principal FindingsIn connection with a study of HIV in rural Guinea-Bissau, we assessed vaccinia and BCG scars in 193 HIV-1 or HIV-2 infected and 174 uninfected participants. Mortality was assessed after 2½–3 years of follow-up. The analyses were adjusted for age, sex, village, and HIV status. The prevalence of vaccinia scar was associated with age, village, and HIV-2 status but not with sex and schooling. Compared with individuals without any scar, individuals with a vaccinia scar had better survival (mortality rate ratio (MR) = 0.22 (95% CI 0.08–0.61)), the MR being 0.19 (95% CI 0.06–0.57) for women and 0.40 (95% CI 0.04–3.74) for men. Estimates were similar for HIV-2 infected and HIV-1 and HIV-2 uninfected individuals. The HIV-2 prevalence was higher among individuals with a vaccinia scar compared to individuals without a vaccinia scar (RR = 1.57 (95% CI 1.02–2.36)).ConclusionThe present study supports the hypothesis that vaccinia vaccination may have a non-specific beneficial effect on adult survival.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vaccinia Scars Associated with Improved Survival among Adults in Rural Guinea-Bissau

et al. 2006

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“…Although it is possible that enhanced overall immunosurveillance may be beneficial in aborting subclinical neoplasia, confounding variables may also be responsible for this observation. 69,70 Most large series of melanoma have documented a 4% to 10% incidence of metastatic melanoma with an occult primary lesion. [71][72][73] In many cases, occult primary malignant melanoma may be explained by complete regression of a primary lesion.…”

Section: J Am Acad Dermatolmentioning

confidence: 99%

Completely regressed primary cutaneous malignant melanoma with nodal and/or visceral metastases: A report of 5 cases and assessment of the literature and diagnostic criteria

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Stewart²,

Wilbers

et al. 2005

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

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“…Based on a pilot study [79] this group undertook a series of studies to establish the relationship between the risk for developing melanoma and a history of, initially, infectious diseases [80], and, subsequently, also of vaccinations [81, 82]. The study cohort included 603 cases and 627 population controls matched with respect to sex, age, and ethnic origin within each of a total of 11 study centres in six European countries and in Israel.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A subsequent study report included the history of vaccinations and demonstrated protection with an odds ratio of risk of 0.4 (95% confidence interval 0.18-0.85) in those vaccinated with BCG alone, 0.6 (95% CI 0.36-0.99) in those vaccinated with vaccinia alone and 0.41 (95% CI 0.25-0.67) in those receiving both vaccines [81]. The vaccines were both administered early in life and were associated with a long-lasting relatively strong protective effect against melanoma in the age group < 50 years with a waning of protection in older subjects (age group ≥ 50 years) but with a cumulative protective effect in those receiving both vaccines [81] (Table 1). Joint analyses of vaccinations and a history of serious infectious diseases (s) likewise exhibited a cumulative effect of the weaker protections [83] (Table 2).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The biography of the immune system and the control of cancer: from St Peregrine to contemporary vaccination strategies

2014

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BackgroundThe historical basis and contemporary evidence for the use of immune strategies for prevention of malignancies are reviewed. Emphasis is focussed on the Febrile Infections and Melanoma (FEBIM) study on melanoma and on malignancies that seem to be related to an overexpression of human endogenous retrovirus K (HERV-K).DiscussionIt is claimed that, as a result of recent observational studies, measures for prevention of some malignancies such as melanoma and certain forms of leukaemia are already at hand: vaccination with Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) of new-borns and vaccination with the yellow fever 17D (YFV) vaccine of adults. While the evidence of their benefit for prevention of malignancies requires substantiation, the observations that vaccinations with BCG and/or vaccinia early in life improved the outcome of patients after surgical therapy of melanoma are of practical relevance as the survival advantage conferred by prior vaccination is greater than any contemporary adjuvant therapy.SummaryThe reviewed findings open a debate as to whether controlled vaccination studies should be conducted in patients and/or regions for whom/where they are needed most urgently. A study proposal is made and discussed. If protection is confirmed, the development of novel recombinant vaccines with wider ranges of protection based, most likely, on BCG, YFV or vaccinia, could be attempted.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2407-14-595) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Inverse Association Between Melanoma and Previous Vaccinations Against Tuberculosis and Smallpox: Results of the FEBIM Study

Cited by 78 publications

References 26 publications

Vaccinia Scars Associated with Improved Survival among Adults in Rural Guinea-Bissau

Vaccinia Scars Associated with Improved Survival among Adults in Rural Guinea-Bissau

Completely regressed primary cutaneous malignant melanoma with nodal and/or visceral metastases: A report of 5 cases and assessment of the literature and diagnostic criteria

The biography of the immune system and the control of cancer: from St Peregrine to contemporary vaccination strategies

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