Human papillomavirus-related cancer risk for solid organ transplant recipients during adult life and early prevention strategies during childhood and adolescence

Abstract

Malignancies are among the top three causes of patient death in pediatric and adult kidney transplant (KT) recipients. Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients, including KT individuals, experience more cancer compared with the general population, including human papillomavirus (HPV)-related anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers. This article describes the epidemiology, pathophysiology and natural history of the HPV infection in both the general population and in SOT recipients, as well as its role in the development of HPV-related pre-cancerous lesions and cancers. Emphasis is given to the primary prevention strategy, HPV vaccination in SOT recipients, and its particularities compared with the general population. Secondary prevention strategies in SOT recipients are discussed and compared with the general population, highlighting cervical cancer screening needs within SOT populations. The article emphasizes how these primary and secondary HPV prevention strategies applied during childhood and adolescence by the pediatric transplant professionals, can lower the burden of HPV-related cancers for SOT recipients in subsequent years, during their adult life.