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HPV and Cancer: Why Prevention Still Matters – The Babak Lab
Aug 4, 2025, 08:55

HPV and Cancer: Why Prevention Still Matters – The Babak Lab

The Babak Lab shared a post on LinkedIn about recent paper by Julie R. Barzilay et al., published in NEJM.

“HPV and Cancer — Why Prevention Still Matters

A perspective piece in The New England Journal of Medicine (July 2025) underscores the persistent global impact of high-risk HPV strains (notably types 16 and 18) — linked to cancers of the cervix, anus, oropharynx, vulva, vagina, penis — despite existing preventive tools.

Study Focus:

Review current evidence on HPV’s role in oncogenesis and outline gaps in global prevention—specifically vaccination and screening.

Key Insights:

  • HPV is the most common STI globally; persistent infection with high‑risk types causes ~90% of cervical cancers and a majority of other HPV-related tumors
  •  Vaccines like Gardasil 9 offer nearly 100% protection if administered before exposure — but coverage remains suboptimal in many low-resource areas
  • Emerging evidence supports single-dose vaccination strategies, which could simplify scheduling and improve vaccine uptake globally
  • Policy and equity issues still limit access; closing these gaps is essential to reduce HPV-related cancer burden

Conclusion:

HPV-associated cancers remain highly preventable. Translating vaccine efficacy into real-world impact requires broadening coverage, simplifying dosing regimens, and ensuring equitable global access.”

Video attached to the post.

Title: Human Papillomavirus and Cancer

Authors: Julie R. Barzilay, Sarah Feldman, Alison E. Burke, Emily Ling, Scott Williams, and Caren G. Solomon

Read The Full Article at NEJM.

HPV and Cancer: Why Prevention Still Matters - The Babak Lab

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