‘Made in India’ Cervical Cancer vaccine ready: Know the root causes and risks of the disease

By Petra Löwer On Sep 5, 2022

[ad_1]

Different strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) cause most cervical cancers. The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Serum Institute of India (SII) is launching our country’s first quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV). The locally made vaccine will fight cervical cancer.

According to WHO (World Health Organization), India has the fifth largest cases of cervical cancer in the world. Around 67,000 women die of cervical cancer, and around 1,23 cases are diagnosed yearly. According to government analysis, the antibodies against HPV prevent 6, 11, 16 18 strains.

Causes of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer happens when healthy cervix cells go through DNA changes. DNA contains the information to form a cell. Healthy cells proliferate and develop at a particular rate before they die during a specific time. Mutations instruct the cells to replicate and grow erratically while still alive. Many abnormal cells develop as the tumor accumulates.

Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body and infect tissues in the area. HPV plays a part in cancer, although cervical cancer’s exact origin is unknown. The majority of people who are HPV-positive do not get cancer.

Indian vaccine against cervical cancer: What you need to know

SII to launch vaccine

Cervical cancer is the second most frequent cancer among women between 15 and 44 years of age. Now, the Serum Institute of India is planning to launch its indigenously-developed vaccine to treat cervical cancer.

Cervavac will be affordable

SII says Cervavac, the Indian HPV vaccine to treat cervical cancer in women will be both affordable and accessible. It has received market authorisation from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI)

India’s first vaccine

The Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus vaccine (qHPV), which is India’s first vaccine against HPV, could be out later this year, according to SII CEO Adar Poonawalla.

How it occurs

Cervical cancer occurs in the cells of the cervix — the lower part of the uterus. It’s mostly caused by various strains of HPV, which is sexually transmitted.

Approvals done

The DCGI’s approval for Cervavac comes following recommendation by the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) . The government advisory panel NTAGI had recently also approved the qHPV after reviewing the clinical trial data.

Factors affecting the Cancer

• Sexual partners: The number of sexual partners you and your partner have affects your chances of contracting HPV.

• Younger age sexual activity affects the chances of contracting HPV.

• Smoking causes an increase in the chances of contracting HPV.

• A compromised immune system increases the chances of contracting HPV.

• Pre-existing UTIs increase the chances of contracting HPV.

FAQs

Q. Does the number of sexual partners affect HPV contraction?

A. The number of sexual partners you and your partner have affects your chances of contracting HPV.

Q. Does smoking cause cervical cancer?

A. Smoking may increase the chances of contracting HPV.

Disclaimer Statement: This content is authored by an external agency. The views expressed here are that of the respective authors/ entities and do not represent the views of Economic Times (ET). ET does not guarantee, vouch for or endorse any of its contents nor is responsible for them in any manner whatsoever. Please take all steps necessary to ascertain that any information and content provided is correct, updated, and verified. ET hereby disclaims any and all warranties, express or implied, relating to the report and any content therein.

[ad_2]

Source link