Human papillomavirus vaccine—recent results and future developments

A subset of human papillomaviruses that infect the anogenital tract and the upper aero-digestive tract is the cause of a number of benign and malignant tumors in these locations, including cervical cancer. Since the past year, a vaccine directed at human papillomaviruses types 6 and 11, the main cause of genital warts, and types 16 and 18, the main cause of cervical cancer, has been on the international market. Another vaccine directed at types 16 and 18 alone is soon expected to be widely available. This review presents the updated, currently available clinical information that has demonstrated the efficacy and safety of these vaccines. It examines the questions remaining on their safety, true efficacy, spectrum of activity, and protection duration. The future directions of the current clinical research and its possible impact on prevention are discussed.