Avanços nas vacinas terapêuticas para doenças associadas ao HPV

Abstract

human papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common non-enveloped double-stranded DNA virus, with worldwide coverage and more than 200 types described. The diseases associated with HPV, especially cervical cancer, have a major impact on global public health and require strategic measures to fight them. Currently available prophylactic vaccines play a key role in preventing infections of the most prevalent carcinogenic types in the population. Vaccination combined with preventive exams forms the basis for combating the spread of the virus and have been the main measures adopted by public health agencies. However, prevention measures alone are not enough to mitigate or reduce the increasing number of cases. It is also necessary to develop new concomitant therapeutic approaches, in order to cover patients who have already developed the disease. In this sense, therapeutic vaccines have been widely studied and their individual applications or associated with other drugs have shown promising results and new treatment possibilities.