–
The University of Antwerp is looking for 75 male volunteers to test a vaccine against the human papillomavirus or HPV. The researchers want to know whether an already approved vaccine against cervical cancer is also effective against mouth infections caused by HPV.
–
—
HPV comes in different types. This is the most common group of sexually transmitted viruses in the world. It has been known for some time that long-term HPV infection in women can lead to cervical cancer. Since 2010, all girls in the first year of secondary school in Flanders have been vaccinated against it.
Since last school year boys have also been vaccinated against HPV in the first secondary school. “After all, there are more and more insights that some HPV types can also cause infections in the mouth,” says Philippe De Smedt of the Center for the Evaluation of Vaccinations (CEV) at the University of Antwerp. “These infections play a role in the development of certain head and neck cancers, cancers that mainly affect men.”
That is why the CEV is now starting a study into the effect of the existing vaccine Gardasil®9. “That vaccine has already been approved for the prevention of cervical cancer, among other things. But safety, immune response and vaccine efficacy for the prevention of long-term oral infections has yet to be investigated and validated. Only then can it become clear whether it can prevent head and neck cancers. “
For the study, the CEV is looking for 75 men between the ages of 20 and 45. They must be in good health and have had at least one sexual partner, as HPV infections are sexually transmitted. Participants visit the center for sampling and administration of the vaccine or a placebo ten times.
–