Gardasil Vaccination for Recurrent Laryngeal Papillomatosis in Adult Men Second Report: Negative Conversion of HPV in Laryngeal Secretions.

BACKGROUND

In our first report on antibody levels in middle-aged and older men with recurrent laryngeal papillomatosis (RLP), we reported increases in human papillomavirus (HPV) antibody levels similar to those seen in adult women and young men. We posited that HPV antibodies produced in laryngeal mucus by Gardasil would prevent postoperative reinfection in patients with RLP.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a case series study.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to examine whether Gardasil injection effectively inhibits recurrence of RLP. Specifically, in this second report, whether HPV antibodies produced in laryngeal secretions by Gardasil are capable of causing negative conversion of HPV-DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) in laryngeal mucosa was investigated.

METHODS

A total of 11 patients for whom antibodies were measured in the first report were studied. Before vaccination and after 1 year Post-vaccination, HPV screening tests were performed on laryngeal secretions, and whether HPV-DNA negative conversion had occurred was evaluated. At the time of collection of laryngeal secretions, the presence or absence of laryngeal papillomas was examined.

RESULTS

Before vaccination, all patients were HPV low-risk positive on laryngeal secretion screening tests. After vaccination, three patients were positive. Laryngeal papillomas remained in five patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The HPV-DNA test showed negative conversion in eight of 11 (72.7%) patients after vaccination. Residual laryngeal papillomas were found in five of 11 (45.5%) patients. The serum HPV antibody titer did not differ significantly between the group in which laryngeal secretions showed HPV negative conversion and the group in which conversion did not occur. The serum antibody titer did not differ significantly as a function of whether there were residual tumors.