Cervical response to vaccination against HPV16 E7 in case of severe dysplasia.

Objective: To evaluate the tolerance to vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV)16 E7 (in SB adjuvant ASO2B) and its histological and immunohistological effects on HPV16 associated high-grade cervical dysplasias associated with HPV16.

Study Design: Five patients with histologically demonstrated severe cervical dysplasia (CIN3) HPV16 positive were injected three times before conization was performed 2 months after the first injection. We studied cytological, histological, proliferative pattern and immune profile before and after vaccination. The slides were compared with those obtained from non-injected patients.

Results: The injections were well tolerated and the specimens displayed a limited regression of the lesions. Nevertheless, massive CD4 and CD8 T cell lymphocytic infiltration was noticed after vaccination.

Discussion: We conclude that the vaccination we used provides an obvious immune histological reaction in the HPV infected cervix and that the 2 months delay before the final step (conization) is done is probably too short.