New vaccine could prevent 90% of conditions triggered by human papillomavirus

Published: 19-Feb-2015

Nine-component vaccine against HPV used on more than 14,000 women in Austrian study


A new vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV) infections has the potential to prevent 90% of all of the conditions that the virus triggers, Austrian scientists have found.

The study, led by Elmar Joura from the University Department of Gynaecology at the MedUni Vienna, involved a new, nine-component vaccine against HPV which was used on more than 14,000 young women aged 16–26 years.

The study has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Nine sub-types of the HPV are responsible for 85% of pre-cancerous cells of the cervix. The new vaccine now means that these can largely be prevented. It is 20% more effective against cervical cancer than the previous four-component vaccine, up to 30% more effective against the early stages of cervical cancer and 5–15% more effective against other types of cancer (such as vaginal or anal carcinoma).

HPV infects epithelial cells in the skin and mucosal tissue and can cause tumour-like growth. Some of these viruses also develop malignant tumours, especially cervical cancer in women. Men can also develop cancer caused by HPV infections. More than 100 HPV sub-types have now been identified.

In Austria, up to 400 women a year develop invasive cervical cancer. In more than 90% of the cases human papillomaviruses are responsible.

According to Statistik Austria, around 150–180 women die from the condition. In Austria, around 6,000 women are admitted to hospital every year for treatment of the early stages of cervical cancer.

MedUni Vienna leads the world in treatment and diagnosis of HPV; not only has it initiated an HPV action day, but it has also provided a reasonably priced vaccination campaign for employees and students.

A total of five research clusters have been set up at the university in which it is increasing its focus in the fields of fundamental and clinical research. The research clusters include medical imaging, cancer research/oncology, cardiovascular medicine, medical neurosciences and immunology.

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