Introduction

HPV, a small, double-stranded DNA virus is classified into two categories:low-risk HPVs (LR-HPVs) responsible for anogenital and cutaneous warts and high-risk HPVs (HR-HPVs) responsible for oropharyngeal (oral, tonsil, and throat areas) cancers and anogenital cancers, including cervical, anal, vulvar, vaginal, and penile cancers.¹ Currently approved HPV vaccines are effective in reducing HPV infection and HPV-related disease incidence, but the burden of HPV-associated cancer and disease remains high.¹

Disease burden

Global

As per the Human Papillomavirus and Related Diseases in the World.Summary Report 22, the global burden of HPV-related cancers is shown below in Table 3.²

Table3: Global burden of HPV-related cancers

Canada

As per the Canada Human Papillomavirus and Related Cancers, Fact Sheet 2021, the burden of cervical cancer and crude incidence of HPV-related cancers in Canada is given below in Table 4. ³

Inference

Despite the availability of vaccines in Canada, the burden of HPV related cancers and mortality remains high (especially with cervical cancer). HPV types not covered by the vaccines (viz. 31, 39, and 56) have also been implicated in cervical cancer.

Table 4: Burden of HPV-related cancers in Canada

Currently, there are 3 vaccines approved in Canada for HPV which covers type 6,11,16,18,31,33,45,52, and 58. 74 Other types which have been implicated in cervical cancer are 31,39, and
56.³

United State

As per the United States of America Human Papillomavirus and Related Cancers, Fact Sheet 2021, the burden of cervical cancer and crude incidence of HPV-related cancers in United States is given below in Table 5. ⁵

Table 5: Burden of HPV-related cancers in United States

Currently, there are 3 vaccines approved in USA for HPV which covers type 6,11,16,18,31,33,45,52, and 58.76 Other types which have been implicated in cervical cancer are 35,39, and 59.⁵

References:

1. Kombe Kombe AJ, Li B, Zahid A, et al. Epidemiology and Burden of Human Papillomavirus and Related Diseases.Molecular Pathogenesis, and Vaccine Evaluation. Front Public Health. 2021;8:552028. Published 2021 Jan 20. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2020.552028.
2. ICO/IARC Information Centre on HPVand Cancer (HPV Information Centre). Human Papillomavirus and Related Diseases in the World. Summary Report 22 October 2021. https://hpvcentre.net/statistics/reports/XWX.pdf. Last accessed 19th July 2022.
3. Canada Human Papillomavirus and Related Cancers, Fact Sheet 2021. https://hpvcentre.net/statistics/reports/CAN_FS.pdf?t=162262867 8924. Last accessed 19Ih July 2022.
4. Human papillomavirus vaccine: Canadian Immunization Guide. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/canadianimmunization-guide-part-4-active-vaccines/page-9-human-papillomavirus-vaccine.html. Last accessed 19’h July 2022.
5. United States of America Human Papillomavirus and Related Cancers, Fact Sheet 2021 https://hpvcentre.net/statistics/reports/USA_FS.pdf. Last accessed 19th July 2022.
6. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccines. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/infectious-agents/hpv-vaccine-fact- sheet#:-:text= Three% 2ovaccines%2othat%2oprevent%2oinfection,used%2oin%20the%20United%20. Last accessed 26th July 2022.