Prevention of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis: role of HPV vaccination

Abstract

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis is a rare, but devastating, cause of airway lesions in children and adults. This disease is caused by human papilloma virus subtypes 6 and 11. At this time there are two vaccines in late stages of development seeking Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to prevent cervical cancer, which is also caused by human papilloma virus. One of these vaccines has been developed to stimulate immunity to the most common subtypes that cause cervical cancer but also includes those responsible for recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. With the possibility this could drastically reduce the incidence of RRP, the otolaryngology community should advocate for implementation of a vaccine program that provides effective prevention of HPV infection with subtypes 6 and 11.