Cancer Prevention Research Study
Help researchers at Boston Medical Center discover whether earlier vaccination for HPV leads to the same or stronger immune response in 4-8 years old children as it is in children 9 years and older.
Conducted in Boston, MA
Have Not Received HPV Vaccine
Compensation Provided
Kids 4-8 Years Old
Eligibility Criteria
Receive Care at BMC
Must be able to stay in Boston for the entire study (5 years)
Study Background
Approximately 43 million Americans carry at least one type of HPV, and about 13 million contract HPV each year. In the United States, 36,500 women and men are diagnosed with a cancer caused by HPV annually. HPV causes nearly all cervical cancers and many cancers of the vagina, vulva, penis, anus, rectum, and oropharynx. Although cervical cancer is the most common HPV-related cancer, 40% of cancers caused by HPV occur in men; between 2001 and 2015, HPV was responsible for a five-fold increase of head and neck cancers in young men.

The introduction of the HPV vaccine in 2006 has resulted in an 88% decline in HPV infection among US women aged 14–19 and an 81% decline among women aged 20–24.  The greatest reduction in HPV rates was seen in those vaccinated at the youngest ages. This is likely attributable to the HPV vaccine being most effective before exposure. Younger patients (aged 9-14) have also demonstrate a more robust immunologic response to HPV vaccination, such that two doses provide the same protection as the three doses required in older recipients (aged 15-26).

Current research also suggests HPV vaccine protection is long-lasting. More than 10 years of follow-up data indicate the vaccines are still effective across age groups, with no evidence of waning protection.

Approved in 2014, the 9vHPV vaccine, GARDASIL® 9 (Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.), is the only HPV vaccine currently available in the US. The 9vHPV vaccine is currently indicated in females 9 through 45 years of age for the prevention of cervical, vulvar, vaginal, anal, oropharyngeal and other head and neck cancers and for prevention of cervical, vulvar, vaginal, and anal precancerous or dysplastic lesions. It is indicated in males 9 through 45 years of age for the prevention of anal, oropharyngeal and other head and neck cancers and anal precancerous or dysplastic lesions.

**Despite wide availability of the 9vHPV vaccine in primary care settings and ample evidence that it is both safe and highly effective in preventing HPV-related cancers, HPV vaccine series completion in US 13-17 year olds is suboptimal (56.8%).

Study Background
Approximately 43 million Americans carry at least one type of HPV, and about 13 million contract HPV each year. In the United States, 36,500 women and men are diagnosed with a cancer caused by HPV annually. HPV causes nearly all cervical cancers and many cancers of the vagina, vulva, penis, anus, rectum, and oropharynx. Although cervical cancer is the most common HPV-related cancer, 40% of cancers caused by HPV occur in men; between 2001 and 2015, HPV was responsible for a five-fold increase of head and neck cancers in young men.

The introduction of the HPV vaccine in 2006 has resulted in an 88% decline in HPV infection among US women aged 14–19 and an 81% decline among women aged 20–24. The greatest reduction in HPV rates was seen in those vaccinated at the youngest ages. This is likely attributable to the HPV vaccine being most effective before exposure. Younger patients (aged 9-14) have also demonstrate a more robust immunologic response to HPV vaccination, such that two doses provide the same protection as the three doses required in older recipients (aged 15-26).

Current research also suggests HPV vaccine protection is long-lasting. More than 10 years of follow-up data indicate the vaccines are still effective across age groups, with no evidence of waning protection.

Approved in 2014, the 9vHPV vaccine, GARDASIL® 9 (Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.), is the only HPV vaccine currently available in the US. The 9vHPV vaccine is currently indicated in females 9 through 45 years of age for the prevention of cervical, vulvar, vaginal, anal, oropharyngeal and other head and neck cancers and for prevention of cervical, vulvar, vaginal, and anal precancerous or dysplastic lesions. It is indicated in males 9 through 45 years of age for the prevention of anal, oropharyngeal and other head and neck cancers and anal precancerous or dysplastic lesions.

**Despite wide availability of the 9vHPV vaccine in primary care settings and ample evidence that it is both safe and highly effective in preventing HPV-related cancers, HPV vaccine series completion in US 13-17 year olds is suboptimal (56.8%).
Additional Information