The HPV vaccine received FDA approval to prevent head and neck cancers

On 12 June 2020, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the nine-valent HPV vaccine Gardasil-9 to prevent head and neck cancers.

In the late 1900s, researchers found that HPV was associated with head and neck cancers.

Cancers developing in association with HPV had been found to have a different biology and disease pattern and a better course of disease. Recent studies showed that HPV causes 25% of head and neck cancers and 60% of oropharyngeal (oral cavity and pharynx) cancers.

The relationship between HPV and cancer

Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes cells to proliferate excessively by changing the mechanisms that control cell division. There are nearly 200 known HPV types, about 40 of which cause infections in humans. Some HPV subtypes that infect humans are also associated with cancers of the head and neck, vagina-vulva, penis, anus, cervix and rectum. The good news is that many people, without showing any symptoms or signs, can use their immune systems to clear the virus from their bodies.

Studies have shown that people who receive the HPV vaccine have a lower risk of developing HPV-related cancer. However, it is important to remember that the HPV vaccine is not effective in clearing the virus from the body or treating it; it is effective in preventing HPV. The aim is to create an immune response to HPV subtypes and provide protection against future infections. The HPV vaccine, marketed as Gardasil in 2006 and also available in Turkey, protects against 4 virus subtypes: 6, 11, 16 and 18. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new vaccine called Gardasil 9 that also protects against 5 additional HPV types (31, 33, 45, 52 and 58). Age at HPV vaccination is important for the immune response that develops. Therefore, while 11-12 is stated to be the ideal vaccination age, vaccination before the first sexual contact is emphasized as extremely important. The vaccine can provide 100% protection against the 4 most common HPV types.

FDA approval for the HPV vaccine to prevent head and neck cancers

The FDA expanded the scope of use of Gardasil-9 and states that it should be used to prevent oropharyngeal and head and neck cancers caused by HPV subtypes 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58. This development was approved under the FDA's accelerated approval program, also based on the vaccine's effectiveness in preventing HPV-related anogenital disease. It is noteworthy that head and neck cancers are not included in the list of cancers prevented through vaccination. According to data from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), oropharyngeal (mouth and pharynx) cancers are the most common type of cancer caused by HPV, exceeding even cervical cancer.

- Related topic: The relationship between head and neck cancers and HPV (in detail)

In light of recent studies, countries' recognition of HPV vaccination policies plays an important role in preventing many cancers that should not be overlooked.