In a recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO), groundbreaking developments in therapeutic vaccines against human papillomavirus (HPV) could revolutionize the battle against cervical cancer. Currently, vaccines are primarily preventive, but emerging therapies aim to treat existing HPV infections, potentially lowering the risk of cervical cancer.

The WHO underscores the urgent need for these therapeutic vaccines to be accessible globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where the majority of cervical cancer deaths occur. Dr. Sami Gottlieb from WHO emphasizes the importance of integrating these innovations with existing preventive measures like vaccinations and screenings to maximize impact.

With cervical cancer claiming a life every 90 seconds, WHO’s Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative targets ambitious goals by 2030: vaccinating 90% of girls, screening 70% of women using high-performance tests, and treating 90% of those with precancerous conditions or cancer. Therapeutic HPV vaccines are seen as a crucial addition, potentially strengthening immune responses against high-risk HPV strains and precancerous cells, especially beneficial for women who were not vaccinated before HPV exposure.

Currently, over 20 therapeutic HPV vaccine candidates are in various stages of development, with some already in clinical trials. The WHO report outlines criteria for their global deployment, including medical indications, safety, efficacy, and practical considerations like delivery and affordability.

The introduction of therapeutic HPV vaccines represents a pivotal step in WHO’s efforts to eliminate cervical cancer, offering new hope in the fight to save millions of lives worldwide.