HPV Vaccination For All Positive Gay Men?

All HIV-positive gay men should receive Gardasil, the vaccine that prevents cancerous human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18, say researchers who presented data at July’s International AIDS Society Conference in Sydney, Australia. The prevalence of these strains in a cohort study hints that mass immunizations may reduce the likelihood of anal cancer in this high-risk population, according to AIDSmap.
Of the 70 HIV-positive California and Illinois patients who had anal Pap smears, 33 were found to be positive for HPV infection—41 percent of whom had HPV types 16 and/or 18. To the Veterans Administration investigators conducting the study, this high rate of cancer-causing infection signals a “strong rationale” for a large-scale vaccination program.
Gardasil, which is also effective against HPV types 6 and 11—non-cancerous strains that can cause genital warts—is only approved for females between 9 and 29 years of age. A large clinical trial is currently exploring the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness in a study of men.




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New sex lubricant could block HIV, herpes

Australian researchers have engineered a sex lubricant that could block HIV and herpes, reports The [Sydney] Daily Telegraph's Web site.

The microbicide gel, called Viva Gel, was tested on lab animals. Recent trials have shown the gel to be 85% to 100% effective, according to the article.

Viva Gel's central ingredient is the molecule dendrimer, which can bind itself to the AIDS virus as well as the virus responsible for genital herpes, preventing their ability to infect healthy cells.

The first trials of humans are under way. Initial reports call the lubricant "safe and well-tolerated" in healthy men. The lubricant is also being tested as a contraceptive for women.

Deciding if New HPV and Herpes Zoster Vaccines are Right for Patients

For more than 200 years, vaccines have played an important role in the prevention of infectious diseases. In the United States, measles, mumps and rubella are now rare diseases thanks to vaccines. Now, two vaccines recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and the herpes zoster vaccine – are proving effective in protecting people from serious or potentially life-threatening diseases.

Speaking today at the American Academy of Dermatology’s Summer Academy Meeting 2007, dermatologist Stephen K. Tyring, MD, PhD, FAAD, professor of dermatology and professor of microbiology, molecular genetics and internal medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, Texas, discussed the safety and efficacy of these two new vaccines and innovative ways vaccines could be administered in the future.

HPV Vaccine

HPV is a group of viruses commonly linked to the sexually transmitted diseases known as genital HPV infection, which have long been associated with the development of cervical cancer, a life-threatening cancer that the American Cancer Society estimates will claim the lives of 3,670 American women in 2007.

In 2006, a breakthrough vaccine was approved by the FDA for the prevention of HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18. HPV types 6 and 11 are responsible for more than 90 percent of all cases of genital warts, and HPV types 16 and 18 cause 70 percent of all cervical cancers. Although the vaccine is specifically approved for use in females 9 to 26 years of age, Tyring acknowledged that people are still hesitant about getting the vaccination because of a lack of understanding about who should be vaccinated and when – as well as widespread skepticism on the safety and efficacy of all vaccines.

“In my opinion, the HPV vaccine is the medical breakthrough of the 21st century,” said Tyring. “For the first time in history, we have a vaccine that is proven 99 percent effective in study patients five years after follow-up to prevent cervical cancer and HPV. This vaccine has the potential to save countless lives in future generations of women.”

Tyring reported that one of the main concerns about the HPV vaccine is the misconception that the vaccine could cause an infection upon injection. However, unlike other vaccines, the HPV vaccine is a synthetic vaccine that does not contain a live virus – making it impossible to develop the infection from the vaccination. In addition, Tyring finds that parents are hesitant to vaccinate their young daughters (as young as 9 years old) despite the fact that the vaccine must be administered before the start of sexual activity to be completely effective.

“Studies show that younger girls are more likely to be exposed to HPV than older women, which is why some states are considering mandating the HPV vaccine for girls beginning at age 9,” said Tyring. “If the HPV vaccine is required by law, parents who do not want their daughters vaccinated can opt out without being penalized or fined. But when you look at the facts – the protection the HPV vaccine provides against the most common sexually transmitted disease and a known fatal form of cancer – how could you not want to protect your daughter when the means are available?”

Herpes Zoster (Shingles) Vaccine

Herpes zoster, commonly referred to as shingles, is characterized by a painful, blistering rash that is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. An estimated 1 million people will develop shingles in the United States each year, with adults over age 60 being most at risk and prone to more serious complications of the virus.

“The recent introduction of the herpes zoster vaccine is a unique use of a vaccine in that it is not intended to prevent an infection, but for the prevention of a recurrence of the infection,” explained Tyring. “Since this vaccine contains a live virus, there is a chance it could cause the chickenpox infection and should not be administered to anyone who has not had the chickenpox or patients with compromised or weakened immune systems. But for those patients who are good candidates for this vaccine, the potential health benefits are excellent.”

Approved by the FDA in 2006 for use in adults age 60 and older, the herpes zoster vaccine was found to be effective in preventing the occurrence of shingles in 51 percent of adults age 60 and older who participated in placebo-controlled trials in the United States. However, Tyring added that even in the 49 percent of patients who developed shingles despite the vaccine, approximately two-thirds of these patients reported a reduction in the severity of their shingles and less pain than in previous outbreaks.

New Non-Injection Vaccines

While the fear of needles will keep some patients from considering the new preventative vaccines, some vaccines are currently being administered by means other than injections – via intranasal, oral or topical methods. Tyring suggested that when needles are taken out of the equation, compliance with vaccines increases. He added that vaccines given through topical patches are now under development, as are vaccines being studied for the prevention of genital herpes, HIV, avian influenza and a number of non-viral diseases.

“Vaccines approved by the FDA are at least a million times safer than the viruses that they prevent,” said Tyring. “Patients should discuss any concerns about the new HPV vaccine or the herpes zoster vaccine with their dermatologist to determine if they are good candidates for these vaccinations.”

Vaccines for HPV and Herpes Zoster Could Prevent More People from Getting Diseases

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According to the American Academy of Dermatology, vaccines have been effective in making measles, mumps, and rubella rare diseases in the United States . Vaccines have played an important role when it comes to preventing infectious disease, and now two vaccines that have been approved by the FDA are also proving themselves effective in protecting people from diseases that could be life-threatening, according to the AAD. These two recent vaccines are the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and the herpes zoster vaccine.

Yesterday, August 1, Stephen K Tyring, MD, PhD, FAAD, professor of dermatology and professor of microbiology molecular genetics and internal medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, Texas, discussed the safety and efficacy of these vaccines at the American Academy of Dermatology's Summer Academyu Meeting 2007, according to the AAD. He also discussed innovative ways that vaccines could be administered in the future.

The HPC vaccine was approved by the by the FDA in 2006 to prevent HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18. The AAD says hat HPV types 6 and 11 are responsible for over 90% of genital warts cases. They say that HPV types 16 and 18 are the cause of 70% of all cervical cancers. Dr Tyring says that some people are hesitant to use the HPV vaccine despite its approval by the FDA. He says that they are concerned about the skeptical about the safety of all vaccines and that they often do not understand who should be vaccinated and when an appropriate time for this is, according to the AAD.

Dr Tyring calls the HPV vaccine "the medical breakthrough of the 21st century." He says that the "vaccine has the potential to save countless lives in future generations of women."

The herpes zoster vaccine could protect the estimated 1 million people who develop shingles in the US every year, according to AAD. Dr Tyring says that "the recent introduction of the herpes zoster vaccine is a unique use of a vaccine in that it is not intended to prevent an infection, but for the prevention of a recurrence of the infection." Dr Tyring says that this vaccine contains the chickenpox virus. Because of this "there is a chance that it could cause the chickenpox infection and should not be administered to anyone who has not had the chickenpox or patients with compromised or weakened immune systems."

A fear of needles prevents some people from getting the vaccines that could save their lives. Some vaccines are now being administered through intranasal, oral, or topical methods so that they do not have to be injected. According to AAD, Dr Tyring suggested that compliance with vaccines increases when they do not have to be administered with needles.