News Highlight
An indigenously developed HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine to prevent cervical cancer is now ready and will likely be included by the Union government in its universal immunisation programme.
Key Takeaway
- It is India’s first indigenously developed vaccine to prevent cervical cancer, CERVAVAC.
CERVAVAC
- It was developed by the Serum Institute of India (SII).
- CERVAVAC is a quadrivalent vaccine which is effective against at least four variants of the cancer-causing Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).
Cervical Cancer
- Cervical cancer develops in a woman’s cervix (the entrance to the uterus from the vagina).
- Various strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) play a role in causing most cervical cancers.
- When exposed to HPV, the body’s immune system prevents the virus from harming cells.
- In a small percentage of people, however, the virus survives for years, contributing to the process that causes some cervical cells to become cancer cells.
Cervical cancer in India
- Cervical cancer in India ranks as the second most frequent among women between 15 and 44 years of age.
- A paper published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention notes that,
- India is home to 16-17 per cent of the world’s population.
- Globally, 27 per cent of total cervical cancer cases are from here.
- Further, in India, about 77 per cent of cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV 16 and 18.
What is HPV?
- HPV is a type of virus, of which there are more than 100 types.
- The National Cancer Institute (NCI) notes that more than 40 types of HPV are spread through direct sexual contact.
- Out of these 40 types,
- Two cause genital warts.
- About a dozen HPVs cause different types of cancer, including cervical, anal, oropharyngeal, penile, vulvar, and vaginal.
- Significantly, almost all cervical cancers are caused by HPV, and the vaccine protects against two cancer-causing strains, HPV 16 and 18.
Types of HPV vaccines
- Quadrivalent vaccine (Gardasil):
- Protects against four types of HPV (HPV 16, 18, 6, and 11). The latter two strains cause genital warts.
- Bivalent vaccine (Cervarix):
- Protects against HPV 16 and 18 only.
- Non-valent vaccine (Gardasil 9):
- Protects against nine strains of HPV.
WHO Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy Targets for 2030
- 90% of girls are fully vaccinated with the HPV vaccine by the age of 15.
- 70% of women are screened with a high-performance test by 35 years of age and again by 45 years of age.
- 90% of women identified with the cervical disease receive treatment.
Pic Courtesy: GAVI
Content Source: The Hindu