HPV-Vaccine and Reduced Odds Ratio for Oral and Oropharyngeal Cancer in Both Genders

Abstract

Background: Human papillomavirus-related cancer inflicts significant morbidity and mortality in adults. Real-life data on the effectiveness of a vaccine are scarce. The purpose of the study was to assess the association between human papillomavirus vaccination and oral and oropharyngeal cancer. Methods: Queries used de-identified data from patients attending the University of Florida Gainesville Health Center for malignant neoplasm of the oral cavity and pharynx for patients diagnosed between October 2015 and September 2022. Results: From a hospital population of 1 743 953 patients, 4 131 (0.23%) patients (1228 females and 2903 males) had oropharyngeal cancer. Males were likelier to have oral or oro/oropharyngeal cancer (Odds Ratio = 2.5; p < 0.0001). 56 654 (37 479 females and 19 175 males) were vaccinated, mostly Human papillomavirus 9-VALENT (53%). The vaccine was associated with a reduced odds ratio for oral/oropharyngeal cancer (Odds ratio 0.008, p < 0.0001) that remained low after adjustments for smoking status and alcohol abuse. When stratified by oropharyngeal and oral only, oral pharyngeal had a lower odds ratio with vaccination (0.01, 95%CI 0.00–0.06) compared to the oral cavity (0.03, 95% CI 0.01–0.10). There were also differences in the odds ratio with other risk factors such as gender, race, smoking, and alcohol abuse. Conclusions: Human papillomavirus vaccination is associated with a reduced odds ratio for oral and oropharyngeal cancer.