A Phase II Study to Evaluate the Immunogenicity and Safety of a Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus Vaccine in HIV-1-Infected Females

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Investigator: Joel Palefsky, MD
Sponsor: Brigham and Women's Hospital

Location(s): United States

Description

HPV is a DNA virus that affects both men and women. Approximately 90 types of HPV have been identified, 30 of which are sexually transmitted. The most common forms of HPV are types 6, 11, 16, and 18. The quadrivalent HPV vaccine that will be tested in this study has been shown in previous studies to be effective in preventing infection with HPV 6, 11, 16, and 18 in healthy young women. According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 80% of women will have acquired HPV by the age of 50. HIV infected women have been reported to have a higher prevalence and persistence of HPV infection, as well as an increased risk for abnormal Pap smears and cervical cancer. HPV types 16 and 18 cause the majority of cervical cancers worldwide, and types 6 and 11 are responsible for the majority of cases of genital warts. Vaccinations for preventable infections are particularly important among HIV infected people because people with HIV have compromised immune systems; therefore, any infection is very serious and can potentially be fatal. However, standard vaccination series have not been very successful because a compromised immune system may not produce the desired immune response to a vaccine. The HPV vaccine is designed to protect against infection with HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18 and has been approved by the FDA for use in women between the ages of 9 and 26. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the quadrivalent HPV vaccine is safe, tolerable, and effective in producing antibodies to HPV in HIV infected females.