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What should we hope or fear of HPV vaccines? Volume 8, issue 2, Février 2012

Author
Hôpital Avicenne, Bobigny

Some human papillomaviruses (HPV) are associated with cervical or vulva dysplasia at high risk for cancer, infection with this virus is almost an obligatory condition of occurrence for cervical cancer. Two vaccines, against four HPV genotypes are now marketed for the prevention of premalignant genital lesions of the cervix, vulva and vaginal cancer and cervical and external genital warts. These “first vaccine to prevent cancer” are preventive, not curative: their protective efficacy has been demonstrated in young women not infected with the HPV genotypes included. The questions on the long-term efficacy and safety, possible changes in viral ecology, people involved in priority, remain unanswered. The possibility of vaccination should be included in a comprehensive prevention-screening policy.