Therapeutic Impact of Gardasil<sup>®</sup> in Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis: A Retrospective Study on RRP Patients

<b>Background:</b> Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is a rare, non-malignant disease caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6 and 11. The condition primarily affects the larynx, potentially leading to life-threatening airway obstruction. It is more aggressive in younger pat...

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Main Authors: Jennifer Sieg, Asita Fazel, Elgar Susanne Quabius, Astrid Dempfle, Susanne Wiegand, Markus Hoffmann
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Viruses
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/3/321
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author Jennifer Sieg
Asita Fazel
Elgar Susanne Quabius
Astrid Dempfle
Susanne Wiegand
Markus Hoffmann
author_facet Jennifer Sieg
Asita Fazel
Elgar Susanne Quabius
Astrid Dempfle
Susanne Wiegand
Markus Hoffmann
author_sort Jennifer Sieg
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background:</b> Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is a rare, non-malignant disease caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6 and 11. The condition primarily affects the larynx, potentially leading to life-threatening airway obstruction. It is more aggressive in younger patients, necessitating frequent surgical interventions. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of the prophylactic HPV vaccine Gardasil<sup>®</sup> in RRP patients, focusing on its impact on lesion size and the frequency of surgical interventions. Furthermore, a literature review was conducted to analyze the factors influencing the decision to vaccinate. <b>Methods:</b> A retrospective analysis was conducted on 63 RRP patients treated from 2008 to 2021. Disease burden was assessed using the Derkay score and the annual frequency of laser-surgical ablations. Comparisons were made between pre- and post-vaccination periods in vaccinated patients (n = 18), and between first and second halves of the disease’s course in unvaccinated patients (n = 14). <b>Results:</b> A reduction in the frequency of surgical interventions post-vaccination (<i>p</i> < 0.05) could be seen. The cumulated Derkay score per year decreased after second and third vaccination (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The decision to be vaccinated is influenced by multiple factors (e.g., potential side-effects, sociocultural factors, impact of social media, pre-existing conditions and the wider context of the recent pandemic). <b>Conclusions:</b> Gardasil<sup>®</sup> appears to reduce the frequency of surgery and lessen disease severity in RRP patients, supporting the potential role of HPV vaccination as a therapeutic option for RRP. Moreover, it is crucial to overcome skepticism towards vaccinations to prevent the development of HPV-associated diseases in the first place.
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spelling doaj-art-0b016f0f4d794e9e9241f64396f5d2032025-08-20T01:50:10ZengMDPI AGViruses1999-49152025-02-0117332110.3390/v17030321Therapeutic Impact of Gardasil<sup>®</sup> in Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis: A Retrospective Study on RRP PatientsJennifer Sieg0Asita Fazel1Elgar Susanne Quabius2Astrid Dempfle3Susanne Wiegand4Markus Hoffmann5Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Christian-Albrechts University Kiel, 24105 Kiel, GermanyDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Christian-Albrechts University Kiel, 24105 Kiel, GermanyDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Christian-Albrechts University Kiel, 24105 Kiel, GermanyInstitute of Medical Informatics and Statistics, Christian-Albrechts University Kiel, 24105 Kiel, GermanyDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Christian-Albrechts University Kiel, 24105 Kiel, GermanyDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Christian-Albrechts University Kiel, 24105 Kiel, Germany<b>Background:</b> Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is a rare, non-malignant disease caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6 and 11. The condition primarily affects the larynx, potentially leading to life-threatening airway obstruction. It is more aggressive in younger patients, necessitating frequent surgical interventions. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of the prophylactic HPV vaccine Gardasil<sup>®</sup> in RRP patients, focusing on its impact on lesion size and the frequency of surgical interventions. Furthermore, a literature review was conducted to analyze the factors influencing the decision to vaccinate. <b>Methods:</b> A retrospective analysis was conducted on 63 RRP patients treated from 2008 to 2021. Disease burden was assessed using the Derkay score and the annual frequency of laser-surgical ablations. Comparisons were made between pre- and post-vaccination periods in vaccinated patients (n = 18), and between first and second halves of the disease’s course in unvaccinated patients (n = 14). <b>Results:</b> A reduction in the frequency of surgical interventions post-vaccination (<i>p</i> < 0.05) could be seen. The cumulated Derkay score per year decreased after second and third vaccination (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The decision to be vaccinated is influenced by multiple factors (e.g., potential side-effects, sociocultural factors, impact of social media, pre-existing conditions and the wider context of the recent pandemic). <b>Conclusions:</b> Gardasil<sup>®</sup> appears to reduce the frequency of surgery and lessen disease severity in RRP patients, supporting the potential role of HPV vaccination as a therapeutic option for RRP. Moreover, it is crucial to overcome skepticism towards vaccinations to prevent the development of HPV-associated diseases in the first place.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/3/321HPVRRPvaccinationGardasil
spellingShingle Jennifer Sieg
Asita Fazel
Elgar Susanne Quabius
Astrid Dempfle
Susanne Wiegand
Markus Hoffmann
Therapeutic Impact of Gardasil<sup>®</sup> in Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis: A Retrospective Study on RRP Patients
Viruses
HPV
RRP
vaccination
Gardasil
title Therapeutic Impact of Gardasil<sup>®</sup> in Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis: A Retrospective Study on RRP Patients
title_full Therapeutic Impact of Gardasil<sup>®</sup> in Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis: A Retrospective Study on RRP Patients
title_fullStr Therapeutic Impact of Gardasil<sup>®</sup> in Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis: A Retrospective Study on RRP Patients
title_full_unstemmed Therapeutic Impact of Gardasil<sup>®</sup> in Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis: A Retrospective Study on RRP Patients
title_short Therapeutic Impact of Gardasil<sup>®</sup> in Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis: A Retrospective Study on RRP Patients
title_sort therapeutic impact of gardasil sup r sup in recurrent respiratory papillomatosis a retrospective study on rrp patients
topic HPV
RRP
vaccination
Gardasil
url https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/3/321
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