Background Human papillomavirus vaccines prevent human papillomavirus infection and cervical precancers. The impact of vaccinating women with a current infection or after treatment for an human ...papillomavirus-associated lesion is not fully understood. Objectives To determine whether human papillomavirus-16/18 vaccination influences the outcome of infections present at vaccination and the rate of infection and disease after treatment of lesions. Study Design We included 1711 women (18−25 years) with carcinogenic human papillomavirus infection and 311 women of similar age who underwent treatment for cervical precancer and who participated in a community-based trial of the AS04-adjuvanted human papillomavirus-16/18 virus-like particle vaccine. Participants were randomized (human papillomavirus or hepatitis A vaccine) and offered 3 vaccinations over 6 months. Follow-up included annual visits (more frequently if clinically indicated), referral to colposcopy of high-grade and persistent low-grade lesions, treatment by loop electrosurgical excisional procedure when clinically indicated, and cytologic and virologic follow-up after treatment. Among women with human papillomavirus infection at the time of vaccination, we considered type-specific viral clearance, and development of cytologic (squamous intraepithelial lesions) and histologic (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia) lesions. Among treated women, we considered single-time and persistent human papillomavirus infection, squamous intraepithelial lesions, and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 or greater. Outcomes associated with infections absent before treatment also were evaluated. Infection-level analyses were performed and vaccine efficacy estimated. Results Median follow-up was 56.7 months (women with human papillomavirus infection) and 27.3 months (treated women). There was no evidence of vaccine efficacy to increase clearance of human papillomavirus infections or decrease incidence of cytologic/histologic abnormalities associated with human papillomavirus types present at enrollment. Vaccine efficacy for human papillomavirus 16/18 clearance and against human papillomavirus 16/18 progression from infection to cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 or greater were −5.4% (95% confidence interval −19,10) and 0.3% (95% confidence interval −69,41), respectively. Among treated women, 34.1% had oncogenic infection and 1.6% had cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 or greater detected after treatment, respectively, and of these 69.8% and 20.0% were the result of new infections. We observed no significant effect of vaccination on rates of infection/lesions after treatment. Vaccine efficacy estimates for human papillomavirus 16/18 associated persistent infection and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 or greater after treatment were 34.7% (95% confidence interval −131, 82) and −211% (95% confidence interval −2901, 68), respectively. We observed evidence for a partial and nonsignificant protective effect of vaccination against new infections absent before treatment. For incident human papillomavirus 16/18, human papillomavirus 31/33/45, and oncogenic human papillomavirus infections post-treatment, vaccine efficacy estimates were 57.9% (95% confidence interval −43, 88), 72.9% (95% confidence interval 29, 90), and 36.7% (95% confidence interval 1.5, 59), respectively. Conclusion We find no evidence for a vaccine effect on the fate of detectable human papillomavirus infections. We show that vaccination does not protect against infections/lesions after treatment. Evaluation of vaccine protection against new infections after treatment and resultant lesions warrants further consideration in future studies.
Summary Background Anal cancer remains rare (incidence of about 1·5 per 100 000 women yearly), but rates are increasing in many countries. Human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 and 18 infections cause most ...cases of anal cancer. We assessed efficacy of an AS04-adjuvanted HPV 16 and HPV 18 vaccine against anal infection with HPV 16, HPV 18, or both (HPV 16/18). Methods Women from Costa Rica were registered between June 28, 2004, and Dec 21, 2005, in a randomised double-blind controlled trial that was designed to assess vaccine efficacy against persistent cervical HPV 16/18 infections and associated precancerous lesions. Eligible women were residents of Guanacaste and selected areas of Puntarenas, Costa Rica, age 18–25 years, in good general health, willing to provide informed consent, and were not pregnant or breastfeeding. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive an HPV vaccine (Cervarix, GlaxoSmithKline, Rixensart, Belgium) or a control hepatitis A vaccine (modified preparation of Havrix, GlaxoSmithKline, Rixensart, Belgium). Vaccines were administered in three 0·5 mL doses at enrolment, 1 month, and 6 months. Women, selected at the final blinded study visit 4 years after vaccination, provided anal specimens for assessment of vaccine efficacy against anal HPV 16/18 infection. Prevalence of anal HPV 16/18 infections, reported as vaccine efficacy, was the primary endpoint of the study described here. Vaccine efficacy against cervical HPV 16/18 infection in the same women at the 4-year visit was used as a comparator. Analyses were done in a restricted cohort of women who were negative for both cervical HPV 16 and HPV 18 DNA and who were HPV 16 and HPV 18 seronegative before enrolment (HPV naive), and also in the full cohort of women who provided an anal specimen. Investigators were masked to group assignment. This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov , number NCT00128661. Findings All women who attended the final blinded study visit and consented to anal specimen collection were included in the analysis (4210 of 6352 eligible women). In the full cohort, vaccine efficacy against prevalent HPV 16/18 infection measured one-time, 4 years post vaccination was lower at the anus (62·0%, 95% CI 47·1–73·1) compared with the cervix (76·4%, 67·0–83·5; p for interaction by anatomical site 0·031). In the restricted cohort, vaccine efficacy against anal HPV 16/18 infection was 83·6% (66·7–92·8), which was similar to vaccine efficacy against cervical HPV 16/18 infection (87·9%, 77·4–94·0). Safety issues were not addressed in the current analysis. Additional safety data will be published later in a separate article. Interpretation The AS04-adjuvanted vaccine affords strong protection against anal HPV infection, particularly among women more likely to be HPV naive at enrolment. Funding National Cancer Institute with contributions from the National Institutes of Health Office of Research on Women's Health. Vaccine was provided by GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines are given as a two-dose schedule in children aged 9–14 years, or as three doses in older individuals. We compared antibody responses after one dose of HPV vaccine ...in the Dose Reduction Immunobridging and Safety Study (DoRIS), a randomised trial of different HPV vaccine schedules in Tanzania, to those from two observational HPV vaccine trials that found high efficacy of one dose up to 11 years against HPV16 and HPV18 (Costa Rica Vaccine Trial CVT and Institutional Agency for Research on Cancer IARC India trial).
In this immunobridging analysis of an open-label randomised controlled trial, girls were recruited from 54 government schools in Mwanza, Tanzania, into the DoRIS trial. Girls were eligible if they were aged 9–14 years, healthy, and HIV negative. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1:1:1:1:1), using permutated block sizes of 12, 18, and 24, to one, two, or three doses of the 2-valent vaccine (Cervarix, GSK Biologicals, Rixensart, Belgium) or the 9-valent vaccine (Gardasil 9, Sanofi Pasteur MSD, Lyon, France). For this immunobridging analysis, the primary objective was to compare geometric mean concentrations (GMCs) at 24 months after one dose in the per-protocol population compared with in historical cohorts: the one-dose 2-valent vaccine group in DoRIS was compared with recipients of the 2-valent vaccine Cervarix from CVT and the one-dose 9-valent vaccine group in DoRIS was compared with recipients of the 4-valent vaccine Gardasil (Merck Sharp & Dohme, Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA) from the IARC India trial. Samples were tested together with virus-like particle ELISA for HPV16 and HPV18 IgG antibodies. Non-inferiority of GMC ratios (DoRIS trial vs historical cohort) was predefined as when the lower bound of the 95% CI was greater than 0·50. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02834637.
Between Feb 23, 2017, and Jan 6, 2018, we screened 1002 girls for eligibility, of whom 930 were enrolled into DoRIS and 155 each were assigned to one dose, two doses, or three doses of 2-valent vaccine, or one dose, two doses, or three doses of 9-valent vaccine. 154 (99%) participants in the one-dose 2-valent vaccine group (median age 10 years IQR 9–12) and 152 (98%) in the one-dose 9-valent vaccine group (median age 10 years IQR 9–12) were vaccinated and attended the 24 month visit, and so were included in the analysis. 115 one-dose recipients from the CVT (median age 21 years 19–23) and 139 one-dose recipients from the IARC India trial (median age 14 years 13–16) were included in the analysis. At 24 months after vaccination, GMCs for HPV16 IgG antibodies were 22·9 international units (IU) per mL (95% CI 19·9–26·4; n=148) for the DoRIS 2-valent vaccine group versus 17·7 IU/mL (13·9–22·5; n=97) for the CVT (GMC ratio 1·30 95% CI 1·00–1·68) and 13·7 IU/mL (11·9–15·8; n=145) for the DoRIS 9-valent vaccine group versus 6·7 IU/mL (5·5–8·2; n=131) for the IARC India trial (GMC ratio 2·05 1·61–2·61). GMCs for HPV18 IgG antibodies were 9·9 IU/mL (95% CI 8·5–11·5: n=141) for the DoRIS 2-valent vaccine group versus 8·0 IU/mL (6·4–10·0; n=97) for the CVT trial (GMC ratio 1·23 95% CI 0·95–1·60) and 5·7 IU/mL (4·9–6·8; n=136) for the DoRIS 9-valent vaccine group versus 2·2 IU/mL (1·9–2·7; n=129) for the IARC India trial (GMC ratio 2·12 1·59–2·83). Non-inferiority of antibody GMCs was met for each vaccine for both HPV16 and HPV18.
One dose of HPV vaccine in young girls might provide sufficient protection against persistent HPV infection. A one-dose schedule would reduce costs, simplify vaccine delivery, and expand access to the vaccine.
UK Department for International Development/UK Medical Research Council/Wellcome Trust Joint Global Health Trials Scheme, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the US National Cancer Institute.
For the KiSwahili translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.
Summary Oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common genital infection that has the potential to develop into cervical cancer in some women. This Review summarises current knowledge on the ...mechanisms of host immunity that help prevent and control HPV infection and the viral factors that exist to avoid immune surveillance. Although most women clear the infection within a few months, the virus induces a shift towards immune tolerance that can facilitate persistence and permit tumorigenesis. Mechanisms used by HPV to avoid immune surveillance and control include infecting only the basal layer of the cervical epithelium, limiting expression of viral proteins until later stages of epithelial differentiation, undergoing non-lytic replication, and downregulating the expression of important receptors on cells of the innate immune system. Furthermore, HPV suppresses the expression of several proinflammatory proteins that are crucial in clearing infection and activating the cytotoxic T lymphocytes involved in killing virus-infected cells. Interestingly, neutralising antibodies, although of uncertain effectiveness in preventing infection or reinfection after natural exposure (prior infection), are highly protective after immunisation with HPV virus-like-particle-based vaccines. Understanding what is known and unknown about the interaction between the immune system and HPV is important in the assessment of the potential contribution of prophylactic vaccination in reducing the incidence of cervical cancer. However, despite our growing understanding, many aspects of the interactions between HPV and the host immune system remain unknown, and this Review draws attention to several of these unresolved issues and their implications.
Summary The two licensed bivalent and quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) L1 (the major papillomavirus virion protein) virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines are regarded as safe, effective, and well ...established prophylactic vaccines. However, they have some inherent limitations, including a fairly high production and delivery cost, virus-type restricted protection, and no reported therapeutic activity, which might be addressed with the development of alternative dosing schedules and vaccine products. A change from a three-dose to a two-dose protocol for the licensed HPV vaccines, especially in younger adolescents (aged 9–13 years), is underway in several countries and is likely to become the future norm. Preliminary evidence suggests that recipients of HPV vaccines might derive prophylactic benefits from one dose of the bivalent vaccine. Substantial interest exists in both the academic and industrial sectors in the development of second-generation L1 VLP vaccines in terms of cost reduction—eg, by production in Escherichia coli or alternative types of yeast. However, Merck's nonavalent vaccine, produced via the Saccharomyces cerevisiae production system that is also used for their quadrivalent vaccine, is the first second-generation HPV VLP vaccine to be available on the market. By contrast, other pharmaceutical companies are developing microbial vectors that deliver L1 genes. These two approaches would add an HPV component to existing live attenuated vaccines for measles and typhoid fever. Prophylactic vaccines that are based on induction of broadly cross-neutralising antibodies to L2, the minor HPV capsid protein, are also being developed both as simple monomeric fusion proteins and as virus-like display vaccines. The strong interest in developing the next generation of vaccines, particularly by manufacturers in middle-to-high income countries, increases the likelihood that vaccine production will become decentralised with the hope that effective HPV vaccines will be made increasingly available in low-resource settings where they are most needed.
Summary Background Decreased systolic function is central to the pathogenesis of heart failure in millions of patients worldwide, but mechanism-related adverse effects restrict existing inotropic ...treatments. This study tested the hypothesis that omecamtiv mecarbil, a selective cardiac myosin activator, will augment cardiac function in human beings. Methods In this dose-escalating, crossover study, 34 healthy men received a 6-h double-blind intravenous infusion of omecamtiv mecarbil or placebo once a week for 4 weeks. Each sequence consisted of three ascending omecamtiv mecarbil doses (ranging from 0·005 to 1·0 mg/kg per h) with a placebo infusion randomised into the sequence. Vital signs, blood samples, electrocardiographs (ECGs), and echocardiograms were obtained before, during, and after each infusion. The primary aim was to establish maximum tolerated dose (the highest infusion rate tolerated by at least eight participants) and plasma concentrations of omecamtiv mecarbil; secondary aims were evaluation of pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic characteristics, safety, and tolerability. This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov , number NCT01380223. Findings The maximum tolerated dose of omecamtiv mecarbil was 0·5 mg/kg per h. Omecamtiv mecarbil infusion resulted in dose-related and concentration-related increases in systolic ejection time (mean increase from baseline at maximum tolerated dose, 85 SD 5 ms), the most sensitive indicator of drug effect ( r2 =0·99 by dose), associated with increases in stroke volume (15 2 mL), fractional shortening (8% 1), and ejection fraction (7% 1; all p<0·0001). Omecamtiv mecarbil increased atrial contractile function, and there were no clinically relevant changes in diastolic function. There were no clinically significant dose-related adverse effects on vital signs, serum chemistries, ECGs, or adverse events up to a dose of 0·625 mg/kg per h. The dose-limiting toxic effect was myocardial ischaemia due to excessive prolongation of systolic ejection time. Interpretation These first-in-man data show highly dose-dependent augmentation of left ventricular systolic function in response to omecamtiv mecarbil and support potential clinical use of the drug in patients with heart failure. Funding Cytokinetics Inc.
Summary Background There is some evidence to suggest that one or two doses of the HPV vaccine provides similar protection to the three-dose regimen. The main aim of the study was to ascertain ...HPV-16/18 vaccine efficacy in both full and naive cohorts and to explore protection conferred against non-vaccine HPV types, by number of doses received. Methods Summary data from the Costa Rica Vaccine Trial (CVT; NCT00128661 ) and ~the PATRICIA trial ( NCT001226810 ), two phase 3, double-blind, randomised controlled clinical trials of the HPV-16/18 AS04-adjuvanted vaccine in young women, were combined in a post-hoc analysis (GlaxoSmithKline GSK e-track number 202142) to investigate the efficacy of fewer than three doses of the HPV-16/18 vaccine after 4 years of follow-up. Women were randomly assigned to receive three doses of the HPV-16/18 vaccine or to a control vaccine; yet, some received fewer doses. After exclusion of women with less than 12 months of follow-up or those who were HPV-16/18 DNA-positive at enrolment (for the HPV-16/18 endpoint), we calculated vaccine efficacy against one-time detection of incident HPV infections after three, two, and one dose(s). The primary study endpoint was one-time detection of first incident HPV-16/18 infections accumulated during the follow-up phase. Findings We assessed vaccine efficacy against incident HPV-16/18 infection in the modified total vaccinated cohort (22 327 received three doses, 1185 two doses, 543 one dose). Vaccine efficacy against incident HPV-16/18 infections for three doses was 77·0% (95% CI 74·7–79·1), two doses was 76·0% (62·0–85·3), and one dose was 85·7% (70·7–93·7). Vaccine efficacy against incident HPV-31/33/45 infections for three doses was 59·7% (56·0–63·0), two doses was 37·7% (12·4–55·9), and one dose was 36·6% (–5·4 to 62·2). Vaccine efficacy against incident HPV-16/18 infection for two-dose women who received their second dose at 1 month was 75·3% (54·2–87·5) and 82·6% (42·3–96·1) for those who received the second dose at 6 months (CVT data only). Vaccine efficacy against HPV-31/33/45 for two-dose women who received their second dose at 6 months (68·1%, 27·0–87·0; CVT data only), but not those receiving it at one month (10·1%, −42·0 to 43·3), was similar to the three-dose group. Interpretation 4 years after vaccination of women aged 15–25 years, one and two doses of the HPV-16/18 vaccine seem to protect against cervical HPV-16/18 infections, similar to the protection provided by the three-dose schedule. Two doses separated by 6 months additionally provided some cross-protection. These data argue for a direct assessment of one-dose efficacy of the HPV-16/18 vaccine. Funding US National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health Office of Research on Women's Health, and Ministry of Health of Costa Rica (CVT); GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SA (PATRICIA).
Background Major trauma is an independent risk factor for developing venous thromboembolism. While increases in thrombin generation and/or procoagulant microparticles have been detected in other ...patient groups at greater risk for venous thromboembolism, such as cancer or coronary artery disease, this association has yet to be documented in trauma patients. This pilot study was designed to characterize and quantify thrombin generation and plasma microparticles in individuals early after traumatic injury. Methods Blood was collected in the trauma bay from 52 blunt injured patients (cases) and 19 uninjured outpatients (controls) and processed to platelet poor plasma to allow for (1) isolation of microparticles for identification and quantification by flow cytometry, and (2) in vitro thrombin generation as measured by calibrated automatic thrombography. Data collected are expressed as either mean ± standard deviation or median with interquartile range. Results Among the cases, which included 39 men and 13 women (age, 40 ± 17 years), the injury severity score was 13 ± 11, the international normalized ratio was 1.0 ± 0.1, the thromboplastin time was 25 ± 3 seconds, and platelet count was 238 ± 62 (thousands). The numbers of total (cell type not specified) procoagulant microparticles, as measured by Annexin V staining, were increased compared to nontrauma controls (541 ± 139/μL and 155 ± 148/μL, respectively; P < .001). There was no significant difference in the amount of thrombin generated in trauma patients compared to controls; however, peak thrombin was correlated to injury severity (Spearman correlation coefficient R, 0.35; P = .02). Conclusion Patients with blunt trauma have greater numbers of circulating procoagulant microparticles and increased in vitro thrombin generation. Future studies to characterize the cell-specific profiles of microparticles and changes in thrombin generation kinetics after traumatic injury will determine whether microparticles contribute to the hypercoagulable state observed after injury.
Background Central venous catheters (CVCs) are used for vascular access in hemodialysis patients who have no alternative access or are awaiting placement or maturation of a permanent access. The ...major complications of CVCs are catheter-related bloodstream infection and clotting in the catheter lumen. Study Design Parallel-group, randomized, multicenter clinical trial, with patients blinded to study intervention. Setting & Participants 16 free-standing dialysis facilities in Northern California belonging to a single provider. 303 adult maintenance hemodialysis patients who were using a tunneled cuffed CVC for vascular access. Intervention The treatment group received an antibiotic lock containing gentamicin 320 μg/mL in 4% sodium citrate, whereas the control group received the standard catheter lock containing heparin 1,000 U/mL. Both groups received triple-antibiotic ointment on the catheter exit site during dressing changes at each dialysis treatment. Outcomes Catheter-related bloodstream infection and catheter clotting. Measurements Catheter-related bloodstream infection was defined as the occurrence of symptoms consistent with bacteremia together with positive blood culture results in the absence of another obvious source of infection. Catheter clotting was measured as the rate of thrombolytic agent use required to maintain adequate blood flow. A single patient could contribute more than one infection or clotting episode. Results The rate of catheter-related bloodstream infection was 0.91 episodes/1,000 catheter-days in the control group and 0.28 episodes/1,000 catheter-days in the treatment group ( P = 0.003). The time to the first episode of bacteremia was significantly delayed ( P = 0.005). The rates of tissue plasminogen activator use were similar in the treatment and control groups: 2.36 versus 3.42 events/1,000 catheter-days, respectively ( P = 0.2). Limitations The requirement for dialysis facility staff to prepare the treatment intervention prevented a completely blinded study. Conclusion Gentamicin 320 μg/mL in 4% sodium citrate used as a routine catheter lock in CVCs in patients on maintenance hemodialysis therapy markedly decreases the incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infection and is as effective as heparin 1,000 U/mL in preventing catheter clotting.