Safety and Immunogenicity of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

Human papillomavirus (HPV) affects a significant number of transplant patients. In women, human papillomavirus (HPV) causes genital warts, pre-cancerous areas of the cervix, and cervical cancer. In men, the virus can cause warts of the anal and genital areas. Men can also sexually transmit the virus to their partners. A patient who has had an organ transplant is at higher risk of infections as well as cancers because of the lifelong immune suppressive medications. HPV vaccination is effective in the prevention of cervical cancer and is now recommended for all females aged 9-26 years by Alberta Health and Wellness and the Canadian National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI). However, how well the vaccine works in transplant patients is not known. This study is being done to look at response of the immune system to HPV vaccine in men and women up to the age of 35 who have had an organ transplant. Men are also included in this study because they have the potential to get anal / genital warts and transmit the virus to their partners. The total duration of the study is three years. Fifty female and male solid organ transplant recipients (lung, heart, liver, kidney, pancreas, small bowel or combined organ transplants) on immunosuppression will be enrolled in the study.