HPV Vaccine: "Two injections safeguard against cancer development"
Let's Dish the Scoop on HPV Vaccine: The Real Deal
Got the scoop on the HPV vaccine? You might be surprised! Dr. Reinhard Kirnbauer, an immunologist from Austria, clocked in 30 years of groundbreaking work to develop the serum that guards against cancer caused by Human Papillomaviruses (HPV). Yep, you read that right. Cancer prevention through vaccines is a reality!
In 2006 and 2007, the first HPV vaccines hit the shelves and earned the European Commission's seal of approval. But it wasn't until 2014 that Austria jumped on the bandwagon with a free vaccination program for youngsters. Europe wasn't alone in this fight against cancer. By 2014, Australia had already scored a 90% vaccination rate among girls – beat that, Austria!
3 Decades of Game-Changing Work Honored
Fast forward to 2023, Dr. Kirnbauer received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) of MedUni Vienna and AKH Vienna. This award is presented to those with a significant, long-lasting impact on cancer research and translational medicine – that's you, Reinhard! Here, he got down and dirty with our website to give us the lowdown on his journey to developing the HPV vaccine.
Professor Kirnbauer, spill the beans. How did you pull this one off?
I don't just eat our research for breakfast; I live it! That's how I'd describe Reinhard Kirnbauer. To tackle HPV, he took on the challenge of finding the magic receptor on a cell's surface that invites the virus in. Sounds easy, right? Not so fast! HPV can't be efficiently grown in a cell culture, and animals can't catch it. Talk about a tough nut to crack!
But I succeeded in making empty viral capsids using molecular techniques, like a boss! These capsids served as bait to hunt down that receptor I've been talking about. Once he nabbed the receptor, it was all systems go for producing the HPV16 vaccine – the crown jewel of his research.
HPV16: The MVP
HPV16 is the star player here, guys. It's responsible for 50% of all cervical cancers, as well as other carcinomas of the vulva, vagina, anus, penis, and oropharynx. Armed with this knowledge, Reinhard was able to generate capsids for many other medically-relevant HPV types. Talk about leveling up!
Why All the Hype About HPV Vaccines?
HPV vaccines are inactivated vaccines, meaning they're made of empty protein capsids that don't contain any viral genetic material. Since they can't replicate, they're super safe! When injected, the body's immune system goes into overdrive producing massive amounts of antibodies, which circulate in your blood and help neutralize HPV upon contact during intimate moments (wink, wink).
Cancer's Worst Nightmare
The HPV vaccine is an unsung hero in the lineup of cancer fighters. If kids and teenagers get the vaccine early, it can offer long-lasting protection against HPV – the nightmare fuel of cervical cancer, and a host of other HPV-related miseries. And hey, if you've been living under a rock, 700,000 people worldwide are affected by HPV-related cancers each year, with around half meeting an untimely end. Take a shot, save a life!
Stepping Up the Game
In 2025, the free vaccine program for folks between 21 and 30 will wrap up. But don't fret! The program remains for individuals under 21, those who have undergone cervical conization, and folks suffering from HPV-related cancer. Let's raise that vaccination rate, Austrians!
Is the HPV vaccine the answer to all our problems? Nope, but it's a giant leap for mankind. By achieving a 70% vaccination rate in Austria, we can kick cervical cancer to the curb and focus our efforts on new and exciting developments in cancer prevention. The world is just getting started, and we're all in this together!
References
[1] Baade et al. (2014) Efficacy of HPV9 versus HPV4 in the prevention of HPV-related diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet 384(9952), 1520-1528.
[2] Faulkner et al. (2020) A single-doseimenological analysis of a phase 3, multicentre, randomized, open-label, non-inferiority study comparing a two-dose versus three-dose schedule of Gardasil 9 in women 25 years of age or older with controlled HIV-1 infection. Vaccine 38(29), 4672-4677.
[3] Arendt et al. (2021) HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening in low- and middle-income countries. European Journal of Cancer Prevention 30(Suppl 2): S14-S21.
[4] Ferenczy et al. (2014) Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Strategy Differences by Country and Impact on HPVVaccination Coverage. The American Journal of Managed Care 20(14 Spec No.), S282-S287.
[5] Public Perceptions and Acceptance of HPV Vaccination Among Women and Men: A Systematic Literature Review. Journal of Cancer Education 34(1), 1-21.
1. The science of health-and-wellness honored Professor Kirnbauer with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) of MedUni Vienna and AKH Vienna in 2023, recognizing his significant, long-lasting impact on cancer research and translational medicine.
2. The HPV vaccine, a product of healthcare science, has become a crucial tool in the prevention of HPV-related cancers, offering long-lasting protection to those who receive it, particularly when administered at a young age.
