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Why so much uncertainty about adjuvant HPV vaccines after local treatment? Can the discrepancy between the positive statistical results and the scientific community doubts be solved?

The editorial focuses on how to deal with uncertainty and resolve it starting from the review article Can prophylactic HPV vaccination reduce the recurrence of cervical lesions after surgery? Review and prospect by Han and Zhang, published on October 29, 2023 [1]. In fact, despite several studies showing consistent results in the direction of efficacy, there is still skepticism in the scientific community about the use of the HPV vaccine as an adjuvant therapy, after local treatment, against relapses. Is there a possibility to reduce the uncertainty? To answer this question we should understand why the available evidence is inconclusive. What should be wise public health decision-making? Should the health systems recommend and pay for this intervention or not?

In this debate, we identify the discrepancies between the statistical uncertainty and biological plausibility as the main determinant of divergences.

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IARC Evidence Summary Brief No. 4

IARC (2023). Protection from a Single Dose of HPV Vaccine: A major public health impact from IARC studies of vaccine efficacy (IARC Evidence Summary Briefs, No. 4). Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from: https://www.iarc.who.int/evidence-summarybriefs-series/.

Aims and scope

Infectious Agents and Cancer is an open access, peer-reviewed online journal that encompasses all aspects of basic, clinical, epidemiological and translational research providing an insight into the association between chronic infections and cancer.

The journal welcomes submissions in the pathogen-related cancer areas and other related topics pertinent to the development of therapies for chronic infections and cancer.

Of particular interest are HPV and anogenital cancers (as well as head and neck cancers), EBV and Burkitt lymphoma, HCV/HBV and hepatocellular carcinoma (as well as lymphoproliferative diseases), HHV8 and Kaposi sarcoma, HTLV and leukemia and Cancers in Low- and Middle-income countries.

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Articles

  1. Authors: Fernanda Martini, Alfredo Corallini, Veronica Balatti, Silvia Sabbioni, Cecilia Pancaldi and Mauro Tognon

Springer Nature Oncology Portfolio

Discover the range of academic oncology titles at Springer Nature here.

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

In recognition of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month this March, we have selected a collection of articles on colorectal cancer from across our open access portfolio. Together, these articles contribute to the evolving landscape of colorectal cancer research and the fight against this prevalent and impactful disease.
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Article-processing charge discount for AORTIC members

Infectious Agents and Cancer are proudly affiliated with the African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC).  All members of AORTIC receive a 15% discount on the article-processing charge for each article accepted for publication.  This discount can be requested during the submission process and will be verified before being applied.  Standard waiver rules apply for low-income countries.

AORTIC position statement

The African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC) has published a critical appraisal of the state on cancer research and cancer care in Africa including information on the availability of data on cancer burden, screening and prevention for cancer in Africa, cancer care personnel, treatment modalities, and access to cancer care.

Please click here to read the position statement.

Editors-in-Chief

Dr Franco M Buonaguro, Istituto Nazionale Tumori “Fond. G. Pascale”, Naples, Italy
Dr Maria Lina Tornesello, Istituto Nazionale Tumori “Fond. G. Pascale”, Naples, Italy

Please click here to read the Editors' Profiles


Editors' quotes

Dr Franco M. Buonaguro and Dr Maria Lina Tornesello (Co-Editors-in-Chief) and Dr Sam M Mbulaiteye (Section Editor for “Cancer centers in low- and middle-income countries”) of Infectious Agents and Cancer discuss their opinion on the journal's subject field.

“Cancers related to infectious diseases represent a very significant component of the cancer burden in humans spanning from 20% of all malignancies in industrialized countries to 40% in developing countries. Studies on pathogen-related cancers allow the identification of mechanisms relevant to oncogenesis as well as molecular markers for diagnostic/prognostic methods and targets for therapeutic strategies. Furthermore their relevance is due to the concrete possibility of preventive strategies, which are always cost-effective and can usually be implemented with relatively modest investments. The open access policy of Infectious Agents and Cancer represents a key factor to foster an even participation and contribution by Western as well as Eastern/Southern Countries' colleagues.”

Dr Franco M. Buonaguro, Co-Editor-in-Chief, Infectious Agents and Cancer

“Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide. The International Agency for Research on Cancer estimates that about 20% of cancers in developed countries and close to 30% of cancers in developing countries have an infectious etiology. These statistics articulate the imperative to study the epidemiology, biology, and response to treatment of infection-associated cancers to establish sound evidence-based approaches to cancer public policy, prevention, and treatment. The open access policy of Infectious Agents and Cancer represents a key component in the broad efforts to foster, accelerate, and reduce disparity in access to scientific information by scientists, public health authorities, and policy markers worldwide.”

Dr Sam M Mbulaiteye, Co-Editor-in-Chief, Infectious Agents and Cancer

“Cancers caused by infectious agents develop through a multistep process mostly depending on the intricate interplay between pathogens and host factors.  A paradigmatic example is the ability of all human tumour viruses to subvert the cell signalling machinery and metabolic pathways through the functional inactivation of the tumour suppressor p53. Moreover, oncogenic infectious organisms are known to deploy immune evasion strategies leading to persistent infection, chronic inflammation and continuing genomic instability of the infected cells.  The study of molecular mechanisms involved in pathogens-mediated oncogenesis is crucial for the identification of effective biomarkers for early diagnosis and of targets for pharmacological treatments. The open access policy of Infectious Agents and Cancer represents a key factor to optimize the communication of epidemiological studies, laboratory investigations and clinical research results related to pathogen-associated cancers”

Dr Maria Lina Tornesello, Co-Editor-in-Chief, Infectious Agents and Cancer

Annual Journal Metrics

  • 2022 Citation Impact
    3.7 - 2-year Impact Factor
    3.8 - 5-year Impact Factor
    1.040 - SNIP (Source Normalized Impact per Paper)
    0.583 - SJR (SCImago Journal Rank)

    2023 Speed
    14 days submission to first editorial decision for all manuscripts (Median)
    112 days submission to accept (Median)

    2023 Usage 
    687,750 downloads
    813 Altmetric mentions

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