Grant: Operating Grant

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the known cause of cervical cancer and genital warts. Women with HIV infection have higher rates of HPV infection and more rapid progression to cervical cancer. Although, most cases of cervical cancer in Canada are prevented by early detection via pap smear screening, this is not the case in the developing world where access to pap smears is limited. Beginning in 2008 a group of HIV positive Canadian women and girls participated in a study and were given the HPV vaccine. These women were followed over time to understand if the vaccine provided a similar level of protection as in HIV negative women and girls. Preliminary information from this group suggests the vaccine is safe for use in HIV positive women and girls. In this HIV positive group almost 100% responded to the vaccine but protection levels were not as high as in HIV negative women and girls and the immune levels of protection began to decrease more rapidly in a shorter period of time. New infections of the HPV types in the vaccine were also seen in this group, this information could be key in understanding the critical levels needed to protect against infection. The ability to follow this group over a longer period of time will provide a better understanding of what factors affect the immune protection of HIV positive women and girls, and if the immune levels of protection will be significantly lower than HIV negative women and girls. Understanding how this vaccine will work in HIV positive women and girls is critical for use of this vaccine in Canada and will also be vital to inform vaccine programs in the developing world.