Prophylactic human papillomavirus vaccines: past, present and future.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a highly transmissible infection responsible for a range of diseases in women including cervical carcinomas, vulval carcinomas, anogenital carcinomas and genital warts. In men it is associated with penile carcinomas, anogenital carcinomas and oropharyngeal carcinomas. The history of the development of HPV vaccines includes a significant Australian input and represents a tremendous advancement in our understanding of HPV virology as well as further elucidating the overall contribution of viruses to carcinogenesis. Prophylactic HPV vaccines were licensed for use in Australia in 2007 in order to protect against development of future cases of cervical carcinoma and early results are promising. The benefit of the vaccine will not be restricted to cervical lesions and cross protection amongst a variety of HPV subtypes is described. The development of the HPV vaccine and its ultimate incorporation into our National Immunisation Schedule is reviewed.