against virus linked to cervical cancer
Yale School of Public Health, working with the Connecticut Department of Public
Health, will monitor the early impact of a vaccine against the most common
sexually transmitted disease in the United States and the leading cause of
cervical cancer — human papillomavirus virus (HPV).
More than 20 million people are currently infected with the virus, and 6.2
million new infections are diagnosed each year. Most HPV infections are cleared
by the immune system, but some persist, causing pre-cancerous lesions known
as CIN2/3 and, ultimately, cervical cancer. Half of the more than 30 known
sexually transmitted strains of HPV are considered high-risk types linked to
cervical cancer.
The vaccine GARDASIL™ was licensed for females 9 to 26 years old to prevent
HPV-related cervical cancer, cervical, vaginal and vulvar cancer precursors,
and anogenital warts. The vaccine targets the strains HPV16 and HPV18 that
are thought to cause 70% of cervical cancers. It also targets strains HPV6
and HPV11 that cause 90% of genital warts.
To monitor the early impact of the HPV vaccine, the Yale office of the Connecticut
Emerging Infections Program will survey pathology laboratories and health care
providers for information about new CIN2/3 diagnoses among women in New Haven
county. The goal is to determine whether there has been a decrease of new diagnoses
since the introduction of the vaccine.
“We expect to see the greatest impact among young women, but over time
we also expect to see effects for women over 26 who were vaccinated at a younger
age,” says Linda Niccolai, assistant professor and director of the project
under the emerging infections program. “Also, there will presumably be
less transmission to male partners, who can re-infect their partners.”
Niccolai notes that if it can be shown there are fewer pre-cancerous lesions
due to vaccination, the vaccine might be made more widely available.
“Perhaps structural and financial policy changes also will be made to increase
accessibility for those who want the vaccine,” she says.
This work is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
in Atlanta, Georgia. The CDC, which reports 9,710 new cases of cervical cancer
each year leading to some 3,700 deaths, has selected four monitoring sites
in four states: California, New York, Tennesee and Connecticut.
James Meek, associate director of the emerging infections program, says another
goal is to watch for possible changes in the strain of the virus responsible
for the pre-cancerous lesions.
“As vaccine use increases, we expect to see a decrease in the occurrence
of lesions caused by HPV strains 16 or 18,” he said. “It will be
important to know if other less common cancer-causing strains of HPV, such as
HPV33 or HPV45, become more common.”
T H I S
W E E K ' SS T O R I E S
Now anyone can ‘audit’ popular Yale courses via Internet
Two seniors receive prestigious Marshall Scholarships
Yalies win international debate competition in Chinese language
True-blue tales of holiday giving
Custodian brings brand-new bikes to needy youths
Athletes hope to light the smiles of city youngsters
Rededication ceremony held for Silliman College
Reconstruction of Bass Library celebrated
SCHOOL OF MEDICINE NEWS
Yale receives $12.4 million grant to oversee study . . .
Research to examine causes of heart attacks in young women
Project will assess impact of vaccine against virus . . .
Yale scientists discover biomarker linked to . . .
Work in Ob/Gyn is recognized with grants, honors
Two Divinity School professors earn special honors
Graduate students boost social skills in networking workshop
Research reveals that children tend to ‘over-imitate’ actions of adults
Yale bioengineers have developed a more effective method . . .
Postdoctoral fellow wins fellowships for cancer cell research
Exhibit of original menorahs celebrates the Festival of Light
Alumna intern discovers firsthand the positive impact of United Way
A ‘thank you’ from United Way
Social anthropologist will examine ‘Why Creationism Isn’t Science’
IN MEMORIAM
Dr. Barry Goldberg, devoted career to the safety of athletes
Dr. James Kenney, was the ‘doctor’s doctor’ to many
Dr. Nicholas Spinelli, was active in alumni affairs
Longtime professor Stanton Wheeler dies on Dec. 7
Memorial service for Eugene Waith
Stately affairs
Campus Notes
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