No Increased Risk of Autoimmune Diseases Following HPV Vaccination: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

<b>Background:</b> HPV vaccination reduces the risk of anogenital warts, high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2+), and cervical cancer. To enhance immunogenicity, HPV vaccines include adjuvants such as toll-like receptor agonists, which may theoretically trigger autoimmune r...

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Main Authors: Filippo Alberto Ferrari, Enrico Ciminello, Marcello Ceccaroni, Matteo Pavone, Violante Di Donato, Giorgia Perniola, Pierluigi Benedetti Panici, Ludovico Muzii, Andrea Giannini, Giuseppe Vizzielli, Giorgio Bogani, Giusi Santangelo
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Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Vaccines
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13/4/391
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author Filippo Alberto Ferrari
Enrico Ciminello
Marcello Ceccaroni
Matteo Pavone
Violante Di Donato
Giorgia Perniola
Pierluigi Benedetti Panici
Ludovico Muzii
Andrea Giannini
Giuseppe Vizzielli
Giorgio Bogani
Giusi Santangelo
author_facet Filippo Alberto Ferrari
Enrico Ciminello
Marcello Ceccaroni
Matteo Pavone
Violante Di Donato
Giorgia Perniola
Pierluigi Benedetti Panici
Ludovico Muzii
Andrea Giannini
Giuseppe Vizzielli
Giorgio Bogani
Giusi Santangelo
author_sort Filippo Alberto Ferrari
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background:</b> HPV vaccination reduces the risk of anogenital warts, high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2+), and cervical cancer. To enhance immunogenicity, HPV vaccines include adjuvants such as toll-like receptor agonists, which may theoretically trigger autoimmune responses. However, existing data on this risk remain conflicting. This systematic review and meta-analysis assess the association between HPV vaccination and autoimmune disease onset in post-licensure controlled studies. <b>Methods:</b> A comprehensive literature search was conducted in Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, and the Cochrane Library from inception to June 2024, following PRISMA guidelines. The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024606834). <b>Results:</b> A total of 356 studies were identified, including cross-reference reviews. Fourteen met inclusion criteria for qualitative and quantitative analysis, encompassing 8,088,838 patients, of whom 2,041,865 received the HPV vaccine. <b>Conclusions:</b> This meta-analysis found no significant association between HPV vaccination and autoimmune disease development. However, further large-scale observational studies are needed, particularly among male recipients, as current evidence is predominantly based on female populations. Future research should also evaluate risks for specific autoimmune disorders to refine the vaccine’s safety profile.
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spelling doaj-art-e26f907e6248430a947d37d11be8738c2025-08-20T03:13:51ZengMDPI AGVaccines2076-393X2025-04-0113439110.3390/vaccines13040391No Increased Risk of Autoimmune Diseases Following HPV Vaccination: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisFilippo Alberto Ferrari0Enrico Ciminello1Marcello Ceccaroni2Matteo Pavone3Violante Di Donato4Giorgia Perniola5Pierluigi Benedetti Panici6Ludovico Muzii7Andrea Giannini8Giuseppe Vizzielli9Giorgio Bogani10Giusi Santangelo11Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gynecologic Oncology and Minimally Invasive Pelvic Surgery, International School of Surgical Anatomy, IRCCS “Sacro Cuore-Don Calabria” Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, 37024 Verona, ItalyItalian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gynecologic Oncology and Minimally Invasive Pelvic Surgery, International School of Surgical Anatomy, IRCCS “Sacro Cuore-Don Calabria” Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, 37024 Verona, ItalyUOC Ginecologia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Scienze per la Salute della Donna e del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Gynecological, Obstetrical and Urological Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00184 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Gynecological, Obstetrical and Urological Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00184 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Gynecological, Obstetrical and Urological Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00184 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Gynecological, Obstetrical and Urological Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00184 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Gynecological, Obstetrical and Urological Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00184 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Medicine (DMED), University of Udine, 33100 Udine, ItalyGynecological Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, 20133 Milano, ItalyDepartment of Gynecological, Obstetrical and Urological Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00184 Rome, Italy<b>Background:</b> HPV vaccination reduces the risk of anogenital warts, high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2+), and cervical cancer. To enhance immunogenicity, HPV vaccines include adjuvants such as toll-like receptor agonists, which may theoretically trigger autoimmune responses. However, existing data on this risk remain conflicting. This systematic review and meta-analysis assess the association between HPV vaccination and autoimmune disease onset in post-licensure controlled studies. <b>Methods:</b> A comprehensive literature search was conducted in Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, and the Cochrane Library from inception to June 2024, following PRISMA guidelines. The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024606834). <b>Results:</b> A total of 356 studies were identified, including cross-reference reviews. Fourteen met inclusion criteria for qualitative and quantitative analysis, encompassing 8,088,838 patients, of whom 2,041,865 received the HPV vaccine. <b>Conclusions:</b> This meta-analysis found no significant association between HPV vaccination and autoimmune disease development. However, further large-scale observational studies are needed, particularly among male recipients, as current evidence is predominantly based on female populations. Future research should also evaluate risks for specific autoimmune disorders to refine the vaccine’s safety profile.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13/4/391human papillomavirusHPVHPV vaccineautoimmune disease
spellingShingle Filippo Alberto Ferrari
Enrico Ciminello
Marcello Ceccaroni
Matteo Pavone
Violante Di Donato
Giorgia Perniola
Pierluigi Benedetti Panici
Ludovico Muzii
Andrea Giannini
Giuseppe Vizzielli
Giorgio Bogani
Giusi Santangelo
No Increased Risk of Autoimmune Diseases Following HPV Vaccination: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Vaccines
human papillomavirus
HPV
HPV vaccine
autoimmune disease
title No Increased Risk of Autoimmune Diseases Following HPV Vaccination: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
title_full No Increased Risk of Autoimmune Diseases Following HPV Vaccination: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
title_fullStr No Increased Risk of Autoimmune Diseases Following HPV Vaccination: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
title_full_unstemmed No Increased Risk of Autoimmune Diseases Following HPV Vaccination: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
title_short No Increased Risk of Autoimmune Diseases Following HPV Vaccination: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
title_sort no increased risk of autoimmune diseases following hpv vaccination a systematic review and meta analysis
topic human papillomavirus
HPV
HPV vaccine
autoimmune disease
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13/4/391
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