An analysis of more than 3.4 million individuals has revealed that vaccinating boys and men against the human papillomavirus (HPV) not only reduces their risk of head and neck cancers but also provides protection against other HPV-related malignancies. The study, which is one of the first long-term analyses of the vaccine's real-world effectiveness in preventing a wide range of HPV-related cancers, including those in the head and neck, anus, penis, vulva, vagina, and cervix, highlights the significant benefits of HPV vaccination for both genders.

While previous studies primarily focused on the vaccine's impact on cervical cancer in women, this new study examined more than 1.7 million male volunteers who received the HPV vaccine between the ages of 9 and 39 since 2010, alongside a similar number of unvaccinated male volunteers. The results showed that vaccinated males had significantly lower rates of any HPV-related cancer and head and neck cancers compared to their unvaccinated counterparts, with 3.4 and 2.8 cases per 100,000 vaccinated patients, respectively, versus 7.5 and 6.3 cases per 100,000 unvaccinated patients.

Dr. Lynn Schuchter, President of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, stated during a press briefing that HPV infections have now become the primary cause of head and neck cancers, surpassing smoking as the main driver of these malignancies. The study's findings highlight the importance of preventing HPV infections through vaccination in reducing the risk of various HPV-related cancers.

In addition to the positive outcomes observed in males, vaccinated females also showed a lower risk of any HPV-related cancers and, as expected, a lower risk of cervical cancer compared to unvaccinated females. However, the study did not find significant reductions in the risk of head and neck cancers, as well as vulvar or vaginal cancer, among vaccinated females.

The analysis further highlighted the success of HPV vaccination campaigns in the United States. A separate study, to be presented at the upcoming American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting, reported a considerable increase in HPV vaccine uptake between 2011 and March 2020. The percentage of eligible individuals receiving the vaccine rose from 23.3% to 43%, with males experiencing a particularly significant improvement from 7.8% to 36.4%, while females saw an increase from 37.7% to 49.4%.

Merck's HPV vaccine, Gardasil 9, has been approved since 2006 for girls and women aged 9 to 26, and since 2009 for boys and men within the same age group. The most recent version of the vaccine has been approved for use in children and adults aged 9 to 45 since 2018.

The findings of these studies underscore the crucial role of HPV vaccination in preventing a wide range of HPV-related cancers, particularly in the head and neck regions. As vaccination rates continue to rise, the potential to decrease the burden of these cancers in both males and females becomes increasingly promising for the future.