# Cervical, Anal & Oral HPV Persistence/Adolescent Girls

> **NIH NIH R01** · ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI · 2020 · $917,545

## Abstract

The period from adolescence to emerging adulthood is characterized by multiple developmental transitions and
peak incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Hispanic and African-American women are at high risk
for HPV-associated and other sexually transmitted diseases, including cervical cancer and Chlamydia.
Subsequent to the approval and release of the quadrivalent (Gardasil) HPV vaccine in 2007, we initiated a
prospective cohort study of sexually-active, inner-city, minority women (aged 12-19) attending the Mount Sinai
Adolescent Health Center (MSAHC), the largest comprehensive adolescent primary care facility in the U.S. We
observed higher rates of HPV infection and associated cervical cytological abnormalities post-vaccination
among subjects immunized at age 15 or older who took ≥12 months (vs. <12 months) to complete the 3-dose
vaccine schedule. Furthermore, we found evidence for increased risk of cervical infection with HPV vaccine
types and other STIs among subjects with a history of exposure to psycho-social risk indicators reflecting
family disadvantage, psychological distress, and history of childhood abuse/neglect. Last year, the FDA
approved a new 9-valent HPV vaccine with a reduced dosing schedule for younger adolescents based on
evidence from short term bridging studies of primarily Caucasian and low-risk women with limited numbers of
sexual partners. This study will assess the real-world effectiveness of the new vaccine in a high-risk minority
population. This unique study cohort also provides opportunities to explore new and innovative areas of
research relevant to adolescent health in women, especially with respect to other STIs, and the cervicovaginal
microbiome. This is of particular relevance since STI rates are high in this population, with a third acquiring
Chlamydia. In addition, we observed that certain types of bacteria found in the cervical specimens from women
in our study were associated with increased risks of Chlamydia and HPV infection. Furthermore we
hypothesize that the impact of chronic stress and risky behaviors leading to STIs and breakthrough HPV
infections may be influenced in part by changes in the cervicovaginal microbiome. To address these health
disparities in minority young women, we are proposing to expand our existing cohort and recruit an additional
1108 women with prospective follow-up to age 30 to: 1) determine whether there is a reduction in the incidence
of cervical, anal and oral HPV infection and incidence of cervical cytological abnormalities among 9-valent
versus quadrivalent HPV vaccinees; 2) study the association between cervicovaginal microbiome and risk of
HPV and STIs; and 3) assess the complex associations between psycho-social factors including history of
childhood abuse/neglect and risk of HPV and STIs. Data obtained from this study will be essential to
understanding the long-term impacts of HPV vaccination in high-risk, minority women not studied in the
vaccine trials, and ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9851771
- **Project number:** 5R01AI072204-13
- **Recipient organization:** ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI
- **Principal Investigator:** Robert D Burk
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $917,545
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2007-05-15 → 2023-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9851771

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9851771, Cervical, Anal & Oral HPV Persistence/Adolescent Girls (5R01AI072204-13). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9851771. Licensed CC0.

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