ASCO Issues Global HPV Vaccination Guidelines for Cervical Cancer Prevention

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) released a clinical practice guideline on human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for the primary prevention of cervical cancer. The updated guidelines are designed for different regions worldwide based on varying socio-economic and structural resource settings.

The recommendations are divided according to 4 levels of resource settings: basic, limited, enhanced, and maximal.

For all environments and independent of resource settings:

• Two doses of HPV vaccine are recommended for girls aged 9-14 years old, with an interval of at least 6 months and up to 12-15 months between doses.
• Girls who have HIV should receive 3 doses.

For maximal and enhanced resource settings:

• If girls are 15 years or older and have received their first dose before age 15, they may complete the 2-dose series.
• If they have no received first dose before age 15, they should receive 3 doses.
• In both scenarios, vaccination may be given through age 26 years old.

For limited and basic resource settings:

• If sufficient resources remain after vaccinating girls aged 9-14 years old, girls who received 1 dose may receive additional doses between ages 15-16 years old.

For vaccination of boys in all settings, boys may be vaccinated if there is at least 50% coverage in the priority female target population, sufficient resources, and such vaccination is cost-effective.

The guidelines were developed by a multinational and multidisciplinary panel of oncology, obstetrics/gynecology, public health, cancer control, epidemiology/biostatistics, health economics, behavioral/implementation science, and patient advocacy experts.

Reference

Arrossi S, Temin S, Garland S, et al. Primary prevention of cervical cancer. ASCO. Mar. 17, 2017. doi: 10.1200/JGO.2016.008151.

First Global Guidance for HPV Vaccination for Cervical Cancer Prevention [news release]. Virginia. ASCO’s website. http://www.asco.org/about-asco/press-center/news-releases/first-global-guidance-hpv-vaccination-cervical-cancer. Accessed Mar. 20, 2017.