Therapeutic human papilloma virus vaccination in patients at risk for cervical dysplasia.

Background: Shared decision making between patients and their healthcare providers is recommended for use of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Gardasil 9 (9v-HPV) in women ages 27-45 years. We studied HPV vaccination as a treatment modality for patients undergoing colposcopy older than age 26 years who tested positive for high-risk subtypes of HPV (HR-HPV).

Methods: A retrospective study (N.=155) was performed for patients that were evaluated for cervical dysplasia who tested positive for HR-HPV and received the 9v-HPV vaccine prior to repeat cervical cancer screening with co-testing. Demographic information, risk factors for cervical dysplasia, and treatment outcomes were assessed for response to vaccination as treatment.

Results: Repeat co-testing was negative for HR-HPV in 76 patients (49%) and was positive in 79 patients (51%). A greater percentage of Hispanic patients cleared the virus and Black patients had a greater percentage of persistent HR-HPV on repeat co-testing (P=0.047). When comparing those who cleared the virus and those who had persistent HR-HPV, there were no differences observed for associated risk factors for dysplasia, HPV subtype, cytology or colposcopy results, vaccine dosing interval, or total number of vaccine doses received.

Conclusions: While the HPV vaccine is effective for prevention of infection by high-risk strains of HPV, it remains unclear whether 9v-HPV vaccine should be recommended as a treatment option in exposed patients beyond age 26. We recommend healthcare providers discuss usefulness of 9v-HPV vaccine with their unvaccinated patients 27 years and older at risk for cervical dysplasia.