Article Text
Abstract
Introduction HPV vaccine protection has been proved in HPV naïve females, whereas there is a deficiency in the evidence of benefit in females with ongoing HR-HPV infection.
Methods We pooled data from four large-scale RCTs (HPV-008 NCT00122681, HPV-039 NCT00779766, VIVIANE NCT00294047, and HPV-032/063 NCT00316693) to evaluate the immune response in females with HPV-16/18 infection at first vaccination (determined by DNA status). Seropositivity was defined as an antibody titer greater than or equal to assay cut-off: 7 ELISA units (EU)/mL for HPV-18 and 8 EU/mL for HPV-16.
Results At Month 7 after the first dose, the HPV-16/18 IgG GMTs reached peaks in both HPV-16/18 positive and negative females, and then slowly declined in a similar dynamic pattern. For antibodies in females DNA-positive for the considered HPV type at baseline, lower HPV16 GMTs were observed at Month 7 (GMT ratio 0.71 [95% CI: 0.60,0.83]) and Month 12 (0.78 [0.66,0.93]) in females HPV-16 positive, compared with those negative. Lower HPV-18 GMTs were also observed in HPV-18 positive females compared with those negative at Month 7 (0.74 [0.58,0.94]) and Month 12 (0.76 [0.59,0.99]). For antibodies in those HPV DNA-positive for one vaccine type but negative for the considered HPV type, no statistically significant differences in HPV-16/18 GMTs were observed between DNA-positive and negative females. However, until Month 48, the GMTs remained at much higher levels than those before vaccination, and the seropositive rates maintained at approximately 100%.
Conclusion/Implications HPV vaccine induced high and sustained immunity in women with existing HR-HPV infection. The results of our study would support vaccination recommendations and policy-making.