VSfifth leading cause of cancer in the world, human papillomavirus (HPV, in English) is best known for being responsible for cancers of the cervix (99.7%) and half of cancers of the oropharynx (ORL). But we know less that he is also responsible other cancerssuch as certain cancers of the vagina (75%), vulva (69%), the anus (91%), penis (63%) and skin (squamous cell carcinoma).
Every year, 30,000 precancerous lesions and 8,000 induced cancers by HPV infections in France could be avoided if the vaccination coverage rate of the target population exceeded 80%. However, currently only 40% of girls and 6% of boys are vaccinated in France, unlike our European neighbors, where vaccination coverage exceeds 50% or even 75% depending on the country. A effective and well tolerated vaccine protects against the most serious infections (causing precancerous lesions and cancers).
Even though this vaccine has marketing authorization from the age of 9 in Europe, the French vaccination schedule recommends vaccination for girls and boys from 11 to 14 years old (in two doses) , and between 15 and 19 years of age within the framework of a catch-up vaccination (three-dose schedule). Currently, we cannot do this catch-up after 19 years. Only men who have sex with men have access to it up to the age of 26.
More vaccinations, more coverage
However, vaccination should not depend on gender or sexual orientation: it should take place as early as possible, from the age of 9, as is practiced in other countries of the world, in accordance with the WHO recommendations. The earlier the vaccination, the greater the coverage, the fewer doses needed, and the more effective it will be. Among these 8,000 cancers induced by HPV, some are rarer, and patients have very little access to therapeutic innovation.
Thus, while immunotherapy has become a standard in the management of ENT and cervical cancers, patients with other types of HPV-induced cancers are deprived of it. However, all these cancers have the same characteristics, and all patients should be able to benefit from the same therapeutic advances. This is why we must reason differently by considering their common cause, the virus, independently of the affected organ.
For this, we have created, at the Gustave Roussy Institute, a trans-organ HPV group. The idea is to set up a clinical and translational research program centered on all cancers induced by HPV to have easier access to therapeutic innovation, and to promote multidisciplinary care and research, at the time of diagnosis and treatment, as well as in terms of prevention and screening of pathologies induced by HPV.
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