Abstract
AbstractBackgroundcSCC (cutaneous squameous cell carcinom) and its precursors are a major cause of morbidity especially in immunosuppressed patients and are frequently associated with human papilloma virus (HPV) infections.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to investigate the therapeutically potential of alpha-HPV vaccination for immunosuppressed patients with established cSCC and its precursors.MethodsIn this retrospective study, all patients who received Gardasil-9®, a nonavalent HPV vaccine, as secondary prophylaxis were examined. Dermatologic interventions in both the pre- and post-vaccination periods were analyzed with zero-inflated poisson regression and a proportional intensity model for repeated events with consideration of the clinically relevant cofactors.ResultsThe hazard ratio for major dermatologic interventions was 0.27 (CI 0.14-0.51, p <0.001) between pre- and post Gardasil-9® intervention. Gardasil-9® vaccination showed good efficacy in reducing major dermatologic interventions even after correction of relevant cofactors and national COVID-19 case loads during the observational period.LimitationThe retrospective study design and the rather low number of patients may influence study results. Furthermore, analysis of HPV types and data collection on vaccine-specific HPV antibody measurements was not possible.ConclusionAlpha-HPV vaccination may potentially cause a significant decrease in dermatologic interventions in immunosuppressed patients with high skin tumor burden.Capsule summaryLittle is known about a possible immunizing effect of alpha-vaccines in immunosuppressed patients with high skin tumor burdenAlpha-HPV vaccination such as Gardasil-9® may potentially cause a significant decrease in dermatologic interventions in IS patients with high skin tumor burden.
Publisher
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory