HPV Vaccines are Safe and Effective - Essay Example

Despite what some internet articles say, HPV vaccines are safe and effective Anna Fihar Human papilloma virus (HPV) related to the human papillomavirus family. It related to the DNA viruses that affect cells called keratinocytes of the epithelial tissue and mucous membrane. There are approximately 100 types of viruses within this family. Among them, 60 types of viruses cause warts on the skin. Another 40 types infect anogenital areas and sexually transmitted. Usually a carrier of HPV does not know about this, because no symptoms appear. Passage of Pap test can help to detect HPV in a woman`s cervix. All types of HPV divided into low-risk that are not dangerous and high-risk. HPV with high risk can provoke formation of malignant lesion and cancer. HPV 16 and 18 related to the high-risk HPV strains and induce 70% of all cervical cancers. Also it can lead to anogenital and head and neck cancer. During 2006-2010, 32.200 cases of cancers caused by HPV fixed in the US each year. Among them 20.600 females were infected and 12.600 males. The most common damage of HPV among females is cervical cancer and oropharyngeal cancer among males. (CDC,2014) It was proved epidemiologically and biologically, that all cancers of the cervix caused by HPV. HPV is easily adapting to the tissues of their host and subordinate biosynthesis of the cell for their own aim. Virus proteins E7 and E6 are associated with the viral replication. They act on cell proteins. At the molecular level E6 protein, affect p53 protein or tumor suppressor that regulates cell cycle. Thus, virus proteins activity leads to the malignant mutation of cells. Accumulation of viral proteins in cells provokes delay on cell growth, oncogene mutations and further cancer. In addition, HPV has several mechanisms to avoid an immune system response. ( Zekan J,2014) To prevent a risk of HPV infection vaccine constructed from the recombinant particles of HPV 16 and 18 types. Nowadays there are two licensed vaccines. Among them are bivalent vaccine for HPV 16 and 18, called Cervarix and quadrivalent for HPV 6/11 and 16, 18, called Gardasil. These vaccines are comparatively new. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) certified Cervarix in 2009 and Gardasil in 2006. They recommend using these vaccines between 9-26 years for girls and woman. For high effective of vaccines, 3 doses are needed for girls 11-12 years old. Also, it is necessary to vaccinate older girls and woman 13-26 years old which have not been vaccinated before. (FDA,2009) Review of all trials that analyzed the HPV vaccine showed that after vaccination several side effects could appear. Detected that among 10 people that received HPV16/18 vaccine one had pain, redness, bruising and swelling at the injection site. However, it were not long-term symptoms and removed without additional treatment. The most common side effects were tiredness combined with headache, fever and gastrointestinal problems. Reported cases of thromboembolic disorders characterized by blood clots. However, this adverse effect appeared in people that had risk factors for developing blood clots such as obesity, smoking and genetic clotting abnormalities. Among 10,000 vaccinated patients, one had urticarial or labor breathing caused by narrowing of the airways. Unlike the group that received HPV 6/11/16/18, only pain and swelling were observed as adverse effects. Pain could be associated with inflammatory processes. Therefore, HPV6/11/16/18 compared to HPV 16/18 has less adverse effects after vaccination. (Goncalves AK, 2014) Several cases of autoimmune diseases after HPV vaccination reported. Clinical inquiry on the connection between HPV vaccines and autoimmune disease showed that vaccination conducted in population that had a high risk of autoimmune disease and this made more difficult to detect the reason of this adverse effect. Nevertheless, observations proved that few cases of autoimmune diseases were associated with vaccination. Still this adverse effect is not fully understood and need further investigations. (Palleqrino P,2014) Clinical trials that analyze the effectiveness of HPV vaccine showed that HPV vaccination could prevent development of cervical cancer among young women. 154 patients older 18 received HPV16/18 vaccine 2 to 4 times. To fix any acting of this vaccine researcher observed cell-mediated immune response that associated with phagocytes, T-lymphocytes and cytokine activation. HPV16/18 vaccine promotes a detectable cell mediated immune response. (Meyer SI,2014) FDA before licensed Gardasil vaccine conducted several trials to approve effectiveness and safety of this vaccine through Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) 21.000 girls and women participated in this testing. Half of them vaccinated with Gardasil and the other part received control. These trials showed that results of vaccination of unaffected woman by HPV types 6,11,16,18, is quite effective. It helps to prevent further precancerous lesion, which usually lead to cervix, vulva or vagina cancer. In addition, it help to avoid warts contamination that affected by HPV. All HPV vaccines produced in consignments known as lots. Before application, all of the lots have to be tested for safety and existence of any side effects. In addition, production of all vaccines is highly controlled and must meet the standards. This control of vaccines is maintained by VAERS. (FDA,2009) There are two additional vaccines controlling systems. Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) analyze all reports of side effects after immunization and detect rare adverse effects. They send this information to control care organizations that investigate the safety of HPV vaccines. Second controlling system is Clinical Immunization Safety Assessment Network (CISA). It is an association of several research centers in the US. Their main purpose to improve knowledge about side effects after HPV vaccination and achieve their elimination. Detected that approximately 12.000 woman in the US suffer from cervical cancer and 4.000 deaths fixed after this disease. Cervical cancer ranked second most common cancer in woman and cause 470.000 identified cases and 233.000 deaths every year worldwide. Active immunization is quite necessary and can help to safe and improve lives of many people. (FDA,2009) Therefore analyzing all modern research about HPV preventable vaccination I was convinced that all licensed HPV vaccines Gardasil and Cervarix are completely effective and safe. Side effects associated with vaccination are not dangerous and have not long term action. Immunization can help to prevent infection with papilloma viruses that lead to vulvar, vagina and cervical cancer and anogenital warts in females. Despite many evidences that proved the effectiveness and safety of HPV vaccines all lots are strictly controlling before using. Active investigations of adverse effect after vaccination are performed by CISA, FDA and VSD. Therefore, further investigations of HPV vaccines can help eliminate high-risk human papilloma viruses and protect women from malignant lesion development. References: 1. Zekan J, 2014. Human papillomavirus–related of the female lower genital tract: oncogenic aspects and molecular interaction.[Online]. Available at: . 2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014.HPV –associated cancer statistics.[Online]. Available at: < http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/statistics/ >. 3. Goncalves AK, 2014. Safety, tolerability and side effects of human papillomavirus vaccines: a systemic quantitative review. [Online]. Available at: . 4. Meyer SI,2014. Cell-mediated immune response: A clinical review of the therapeutic potential of HPV vaccination. [Online]. Available at: . 5. Food and Drug Administration,2009. Gardasil Vaccine Safety.[Online]. Available at: . 6. Palleqrino P, 2014. On the relationships between human papillomavirus and autoimmune diseases. [Online]. Available at: . 7. Grimaldi-Bensouda L, 2014. Autoimmune disorders and quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccination of young female subjects. [Online]. Available at: . Read More