Genotypes of the human papillomavirus: Relevance to Indian field trials of the vaccine.
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Date
2009-09
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Abstract
Highly effective HPV vaccines are likely to become available for use in India shortly. The availability and
validation of the vaccines to prevent oncogenic HPV infection associated lesions from progressing to cancer
has clearly offered a cost effective long-term strategy to reduce the cervical cancer burden, particularly
for developing countries where effective screening programmes are not available. The enthusiasm for
these new vaccines duly justified, are we in reality targeting the actual delinquent by prompting these
vaccines in India? The answer would be no as we may not be essentially implementing a rational fool-proof
vaccine program which will aid in preventing HPV-related diseases, for the simple reason that there is a
lack of understanding about the underlying HPV types responsible for cervical cancer in India. Field trials
involving large populations form a major part of continued analysis in understanding any disease and
India is still short of such a trial as far as cervical cancer is concerned. Conducting such studies, might also
act as prevention programs that will save lives and improve public health in a substantive manner.
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Keywords
Cervical cancer, HPV, HPV 16, HPV vaccine
Citation
Hariharan Indhu, Pillai M Radhakrishna. Genotypes of the human papillomavirus: Relevance to Indian field trials of the vaccine. Indian Journal of Medical Research. 2009 Sept; 130(3): 247-260.