Vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) has virtually eliminated deaths from cervical cancer among young women in England, researchers report their findings in The Lancet.
Scientists examined mortality data for the period 2001-2024. The national HPV vaccination program began in 2008 and has covered girls aged 12-13 years, with vaccination rates reaching 88-90 percent. No deaths from the disease were reported among women aged 20 to 24 years between 2020 and 2024, compared to more than 23 deaths previously expected.
In other age groups, the death rate decreased by 69 to 80 percent. The authors estimate that approximately 200 deaths have been avoided since the program was introduced. The researchers confirm that this is the first convincing evidence that universal vaccination against HPV not only reduces the incidence of the disease, but also saves lives, they say. material.
Previously, the experimental cancer vaccine amivantamab showed complete tumor killing in some patients, with noticeable changes appearing within weeks.