Human papillomaviruses are among the most common viruses infecting humans, with more than 200 known types and up to 80 percent of people exposed during their lifetime. In this episode, Florian Krammer explains how HPV infects epithelial cells and why certain high-risk types are responsible for the majority of cervical cancer cases. The discussion also covers transmission, persistence of infection, cancer risk in both women and men, and the evolutionary history of HPV, including evidence from Neanderthal genomes. A major focus is on prevention: modern HPV vaccines are based on virus-like particles that induce strong neutralizing antibody responses and provide long-lasting protection, with broad coverage against cancer-causing and wart-causing types. Vaccination before sexual activity is most effective, but benefits extend into adulthood, making HPV one of the clearest examples of how vaccines can prevent cancer.

New Study from Scotland about the long term effectiveness of the HPV vaccines: https://publichealthscotland.scot/news/2025/november/new-study-shows-long-term-effectiveness-of-hpv-vaccine/

Similar, very recent study from Sweden showing long term effectiveness of HPV vaccines: https://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj-2025-087326

Story about HPV (and other pathogens) in Neanderthals: https://www.science.org/content/article/neanderthals-came-down-colds-herpes-hpv-more-50-000-years-ago

Story about Indian Prime Minister Modi announcing HPV vaccination campaigns in India: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/major-boost-to-indias-healthcare-pm-modi-rolls-out-nationwide-hpv-vaccination-for-14-year-old-girls/articleshow/128876526.cms

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Krammer laboratory information

Krammer Laboratory at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Science Outreach and Pandemic Preparedness

Ignaz Semmelweis Institute

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Conflict of interest statement

The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has filed patent applications relating to influenza virus vaccines and therapeutics, SARS-CoV-2 serological assays and NDV-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines which name me as inventor. Mount Sinai has spun out a company, CastleVax, to commercialize NDV-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and I am named as co-founder and scientific advisory board member of that company.

I have previously consulted for Curevac, Merck, Gritstone, Sanofi, Seqirus, GSK and Pfizer and I am currently consulting for 3rd Rock Ventures (US) and Avimex (Mexico).

My laboratory has been collaborating in the past with Pfizer on animal models of SARS-CoV-2 and with GlaxoSmithKline and VIR on the development of influenza virus vaccines and therapeutics and we are currently collaborating with Dynavax, Inspirevax and Inimmune on development of influenza virus vaccines.

My work in the on immunity and infectious diseases in the US is supported by the National Institutes of Health, but also by FluLab and Tito’s Handmade Vodka. In the past I have also received funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, PATH and the US Department of Defense.

My work in Austria is supported by the Ludwig Boltzmann Gesellschaft and by the Ignaz Semmelweis Institute through the Medical University of Vienna.