# Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)-Mediated Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Incidence Relative to Geographic Rates of HPV Vaccination in the United States

## TL;DR

This study examines how HPV vaccination rates in the US relate to the incidence of HPV-related throat cancer, finding no clear link yet.

## Contribution

The study provides a geographic and temporal analysis of HPV vaccination rates and OPSCC incidence in the US.

## Key findings

- Significant regional differences in OPSCC incidence and vaccination rates were observed.
- No significant relationship was found between vaccination rates and OPSCC incidence.
- OPSCC incidence increased in all regions during the post-vaccine era.

## Abstract

Objective

This study aims to analyze the trends in the incidence of human papilloma virus (HPV)-mediated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) in relation to geographic rates of HPV vaccination in the United States.

Methods

The US Cancer Statistics (USCS) database and the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI’s) Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program were used for incidence and population data collection; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Teen National Immunization Survey provided vaccination data. Incidence of HPV-mediated OPSCC and the HPV vaccination rate were compared and analyzed using t-tests, ANOVA analyses, and linear regression analyses.

Results

Statistically significant differences between regions of the United States were observed when incidence and vaccination rates of OPSCC were analyzed. When incidence as a function of vaccination rate was analyzed, no significance was noted. Each region had an increase in the OPSCC incidence in the post-vaccine era compared to the pre-vaccine era.

Conclusion

We cannot conclude that any variance in OPSCC by region is due to HPV vaccination at this time. Because some regions show increased vaccination rates compared to others, it is likely that they will reach herd immunity first and be the first to see a decline in cases as the population ages. Because of the currently insignificant relationship between the vaccination rate over time and incidence rates, additional longitudinal analyses and cohort follow-up studies are needed to further assess the vaccine's impact.