Gardasil 9

The Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) approval of a new vaccine that targets five additional strains of human papilloma virus (HPV) fortifies a proven cancer prevention weapon, says MD Anderson President Ron DePinho.

BY Ron Gilmore

By Ron Gilmore

The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of a new vaccine that targets five additional strains of human papilloma virus (HPV) fortifies a proven cancer prevention weapon, says MD Anderson President Ron DePinho, M.D. DePinho, the father of three, considers HPV vaccination a “national child welfare priority and major parental responsibility.”

In December, the FDA greenlighted the use of Gardasil 9 to prevent cancers caused by nine HPV strains — five more than its predecessor, Gardasil. The FDA says Gardasil 9 has the potential to prevent most cervical, vulvar, vaginal and anal cancers.

“This is an incredible step forward in our fight to end cancer,” says DePinho. “MD Anderson hopes the vaccine approval will change the conversation about HPV vaccination from sex to saving lives.”

MD Anderson clinicians, researchers and educators are spearheading an institutionwide approach to HPV-related cancers. Programs are underway for parents, teachers, clergy, policy makers, pediatricians and the general public to increase HPV vaccination rates in Texas and across the nation, improve early screening and detection and develop novel therapies:

Efforts to improve screening capabilities and quickly move biomedical research findings from the laboratory to the bedside
Clinical research using high-resolution microendoscopy, a low-cost alternative to colposcopy and biopsies that may prove valuable in low-resource settings
A community outreach program to improve screening and prevention in the Lower Rio Grande Valley on the Texas-Mexico border, where cervical cancer rates are up to 30% higher than the state average
A national partnership with peer institutions in 18 states to increase HPV vaccination rates

“If we can increase vaccination rates in this country, this vaccine approval has the power to save thousands of lives,” says Lois Ramondetta, M.D., associate professor in Gynecologic Oncology, estimating the new vaccine will cover about 90% of cervical cancers, one of the most common forms of HPV-caused cancer.

"If we can increase vaccination rates in this country, this vaccine approval has the power to save thousands of lives."

Lois Ramondetta, M.D.

associate professor, Gynecologic Oncology

More Stories From Promise

A message from Dr. DePinho

A word from the president

Energizing the effort to end cancer

Oil and gas industry adds significant fuel to the fight

Moon Shots Program

As of January 31, 2015, private philanthropic commitments to the program total more than $217.5 million.

My Moon Shot

David Ekas, a melanoma survivor and Marathon Oil Company employee, established the Oilfield Melanoma Moon Shot Fund with a $20,000 personal commitment. He reflects on his motivation to encourage others to support the Melanoma Moon Shot and his hope for a cure.

Stripes aligns with MD Anderson

Convenience store campaign raises millions for children with cancer

Guided by a beacon of hope

Survivor finds strength in team of 20,000

iPromise

Lawrence and Alma Turner, of Houston, are high school sweethearts who recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. Lawrence is a three-time cancer survivor, a registered Professional Engineer and a World War II veteran. Alma is a two-time cancer survivor. Here, Lawrence reflects on the miracles they've found at MD Anderson.

Survivors Say

Sheryl Barnes is a chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) survivor of 33 years from Bloomington, Ind. Here, she reflects on the miracles that awaited her at MD Anderson after almost 20 years of treatment elsewhere.