"Therapeutic Vaccines as a Secondary Prevention Line to Treat Cervical Cancer"

Abstract

Infection with high-risk Human Papillomavirus (HR-HPV) is the main factor to prime cervical cancer (CC). Currently, the primary prevention of CC through prophylactic vaccines allows protection against the main oncogenic genotypes of HR-HPVs and could supposed to be the most effective solution in underdeveloped countries. However, its effectiveness in protecting women over 35 years of age against a primary infection, or reinfections, is unclear, and no significant therapeutic effects have been observed on the available prophylactic vaccines to clear existing infections or cervical lesions. Therefore, the design of therapeutic vaccines, capable of eliminating infected cells, is imperative. The present review is focused on the current panorama of HPV therapeutic vaccination as a secondary prevention approach.