Human papilloma virus vaccination in patients with an aggressive course of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis

In the case of an aggressive course of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP), adjuvant therapy can be used besides surgery. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of vaccination with a quadrivalent vaccine against human papilloma viruses (HPV) types 6, 11, 16 and 18 on the course of RRP. Eleven subjects aged 13–46 years with a rapid growth of laryngeal papillomas were included in the study. They were vaccinated with three doses of the quadrivalent prophylactic HPV vaccine (Silgard^®, MSD) and followed up for 12–52 months. The intervals between the successive surgical procedures, the extension of the disease (Derkay score) at each surgery, and the number of surgical procedures per year before vaccination and after its completion were compared. The mean interval between the surgical procedures was 271.2 days before the vaccination and 537.4 days after it (p = 0.034). The mean number of surgeries per year was 2.16 before the vaccination and 0.93 after it (p = 0.022). The Derkay score did not change significantly after vaccination. Complete remission of the disease was observed in one patient, partial response to the vaccination was observed in seven patients and no response was observed in three patients. In conclusion, vaccination with the quadrivalent HPV vaccine can favorably influence the course of RRP in patients with the rapid growth of the papillomas. It significantly prolongs the intervals between the surgical procedures and reduces the number of procedures needed in the majority of patients. The present investigation can serve as a pilot study for further research. For a final conclusion a longer follow-up and studies on more patients are necessary.