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HPV Genotype Distributions Among Women in New Mexico

Knowledge of human papillomavirus (HPV) genotype distributions in cervical cancer is needed to predict how HPV vaccination and HPV-based cervical screening will influence cervical cancer prevention. Wheeler et al. (p. 475 ) conducted a case–control study of HPV genotype patterns in invasive cervical cancer among women in New Mexico to describe cervical cancer risk by HPV genotype, species, and risk groups. They found that HPV16 and HPV18 caused most cervical cancers in these women. The proportion of HPV16+ cancers declined over 20 years, whereas the proportion positive for carcinogenic HPV genotypes other than HPV18 increased. The age at diagnosis of HPV16- and HPV18-related cancers was 5 years earlier than that of cancers caused by other carcinogenic HPV genotypes.

In an editorial, Markowitz et al. (p. 439 ) discuss the challenges of monitoring the impact of HPV vaccination and the interaction and integration of prevention and cervical screening programs.