Perspectives for the development of human papillomavirus vaccines and immunotherapy

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection and is responsible for 90-99% of cervical cancer (CxCa) cases. Although effective screening programs have reduced the incidence of CxCa in developed countries, they are often not well organized. Prophylactic vaccination against HPV seems to be a good strategy for the prevention of CxCa. However, because millions of women are already infected with HPV, therapeutic HPV vaccines need to be developed further to treat these women. This review discusses the actual perspectives on both HPV vaccines and immunotherapy worldwide. In addition, some of the perspectives in France are also briefly discussed.

Langerhans Cells in Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia Related to Smoking Habits

OBJECTIVE

Compare the numerical densities of intraepithelial Langerhans cells of uterine cervix of women affected by cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 (CIN 3) with their smoking habits.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 71 conization specimens of women affected by CIN 3 were separated in 3 groups according to their smoking habits (smokers, nonsmokers, and former smokers). The identification of the Langerhans cells was performed by immunohistochemical analysis using antibodies to S100 protein. The number of intraepithelial Langerhans cells was counted at x400 magnification under a light microscope, and a 10-field count was performed in areas of CIN 3 of each section. Results were expressed as number of cells per square millimeter of epithelium.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in the number of Langerhans cells per square millimeter of epithelium in areas affected by CIN 3 among the 3 groups (p = .5). There was also no significant difference in the number of cigarettes smoked per day (p = .09), duration of consumption (p = .34), total amount of cigarettes smoked during the whole life (p = .18), and duration of abstention (p = .2).

CONCLUSIONS

It was not shown that smoking reduces the number of intraepithelial Langerhans cells in the cervix of women affected by CIN 3.