University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia.
J Immunol. 2014 May 1;192(9):4007-11. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1490012.
Translation of basic scientific findings into practical patient outcomes is a significant exercise even when the goal is conceptually straightforward, as in the development of a vaccine for an infectious disease. Recognition of the association of cervical cancer with papillomavirus infection encouraged development of a vaccine to help with prevention of this very common cancer, causing over 250,000 deaths each year worldwide. To introduce a vaccine program, it was however necessary to develop a technology for making viral Ag, demonstrate that systemic immunization could provide mucosal surface protection in the genital tract, develop assays for vaccine potency, and understand enough about the epidemiology and natural history of the infection to plan effective intervention strategies. This process took ∼25 years. The major hurdle, now that effective vaccines are available, is to ensure their deployment in the countries where they are most needed. The development and deployment of human papillomavirus vaccines demonstrate the benefits of collaborative research activity across the globe, and between academia and industry, to translate scientific discoveries into public health benefits.
将基础科学发现转化为实际的患者临床结果，即使目标概念上很简单，例如开发传染病疫苗，也是一项重大挑战。认识到宫颈癌与乳头瘤病毒感染之间的关联，促使人们开发疫苗以帮助预防这种非常常见的癌症，这种癌症每年在全球导致超过 25 万人死亡。然而，要引入疫苗接种计划，就必须开发一种用于制造病毒抗原的技术，证明全身免疫可以在生殖道提供黏膜表面保护，开发疫苗效力检测方法，并充分了解感染的流行病学和自然史，以制定有效的干预策略。这个过程大约花了 25 年。现在，有效疫苗已经问世，主要的难题是确保在最需要的国家部署这些疫苗。人乳头瘤病毒疫苗的开发和使用证明了在全球范围内以及学术界和工业界之间开展合作研究活动，将科学发现转化为公共卫生效益的好处。
