Researchers' work from National Public Health Institute focuses on cancer vaccines
2007 NOV 19 -- Data detailed in 'Geographic distribution of cervical cancer-associated human leucocyte antigens and cervical cancer incidence in Finland' have been presented. According to recent research from Oulu, Finland, "Cervical cancer (CxCa) is a long-term sequelae caused by persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Genetic susceptibility to the persistent infection and CxCa is associated with certain human leucocyte antigen (HLA) types." "The same susceptibility genes may also determine whether a woman will be protected against the persistent infection and against CxCa by HPV vaccination or not. A systematic review of literature identified following HLAs to be associated with CxCa: A11 (odds ratio [OR]=1.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-2.0); B7 (1.5, 1.1-2.0); B15 (0.6, 0.4-0.8); DR2 (1.2, 1.1-1.4) and DR6 (0.6, 0.5-0.8). In the Caucasian population, HLA-B7 and DR6, and DR2 and B15 antigens showed at least borderline associations. In view of a bone marrow donor registry at the Finnish Red Cross and the Finnish Cancer Registry, we created geographic distribution maps of index HLA frequencies and CxCa incidence in the fertile-aged Finnish population. Increased incidence of CxCa was found in a region of western coastal Finland, where frequency of two CxCa susceptibility genes (HLA-DR2 and B7) was increased, and frequency of one CxCa resistance gene (HLA-B15) was decreased," wrote F.A. Castro and colleagues, National Public Health Institute. The researchers concluded: "Whether or not HLA type determines also regional susceptibility to persistent HPV infection, and the success of HPV vaccination in preventing both the persistent infection and CxCa warrants further investigation." Castro and colleagues published their study in International Journal of STD & AIDS (Geographic distribution of cervical cancer-associated human leucocyte antigens and cervical cancer incidence in Finland. International Journal of STD & AIDS, 2007;18(10):672-9). For additional information, contact F.A. Castro, National Public Health Institute, Oulu, Finland. Publisher contact information for the International Journal of STD & AIDS is: Royal Society Medicine Press Ltd., 1 Wimpole Street, London W1G 0AE, England. Keywords: Finland, Oulu, AIDS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Cancer Vaccines, Cervical Cancer, Cervical Carcinoma, HIV, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Immunization, Oncology, Public Health, Virology, Women's Health. This article was prepared by AIDS Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, AIDS Weekly via NewsRx.com.
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