Emory University & GeoVax Labs Developing Head and Neck HPV Vaccines

Emory University has now teamed with a pharmaceutical manufacturer to develop a therapeutic vaccine for human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, with a specific focus on head and neck cancers.

This is important since, In the USA, 44,430 new cases and 9,754 deaths of Oral Cavity and Pharynx cancers (which includes the tonsils, soft palate, and base of the tongue) were reported during 2015.

About 70% of these cancers are linked to HPV.

HPV is a group of more than 150 related viruses, of which, more than 40 are spread through direct sexual contact.

HPV is most commonly spread during vaginal, oral or anal sex, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Emory’s collaboration with GeoVax will include testing GeoVax’s MVA-VLP-HPV vaccine candidates in therapeutic animal models of HPV in the laboratory of Dr. Rafi Ahmed, Director of the Emory Vaccine Center. 

GeoVax’s vaccine technology is based on its Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) Virus-Like Particle (VLP) platform, which generates noninfectious VLPs in the individual being vaccinated.

Gene sequences of target antigens are inserted into the MVA genome which drives their expression in infected cells.

In addition, GeoVax introduces into the viral genome matrix sequences that incorporate antigens into VLPs and simultaneously facilitate their budding from the membranes of infected cells.

In this way, vaccination induces two pools of antigens as targets for the immune response – virus-infected cells and released VLPs.

This strategy mimics a natural viral infection, triggering the body to produce a robust and durable immune response with the involvement of both antibodies and T cells.

Dr. Ahmed stated in a press release, “This is an important research area as there are currently no medical treatments for chronic HPV infections, which can lead to the formation of cancerous tumors.”

The Emory Vaccine Center represents the largest and most comprehensive academic vaccine center in the world and is renowned for its expertise in cellular immunity and immune memory.

GeoVax Labs, Inc., is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing human vaccines against infectious diseases using its MVA-VLP vaccine platform.

Separately, a recent study found the effectiveness of quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in women up to 20 years of age who receive all 3 doses.

According to this population case-control study, catch-up HPV vaccinations are effective against the risk of cervical precancers, if women receive all 3 HPV vaccine doses.

In the USA, HPV vaccination services are offered at select pharmacies and physician offices in the USA.

To schedule a vaccination appointment, please visit this page.

The CDC Vaccine Price List provides HPV vaccine prices for general information.

And vaccine discounts can be found here.

Vaccines, like any medicine, can have side effects, says the CDC. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of vaccines to the FDA or CDC.