Innovative HPV trial enters final phase

Postdoctoral researcher Dr. Emily Wenande and Professor Merete Haedersdal lead the VAXAK trial at Bispebjerg Hospital, an interdisciplinary collaboration with the Danish Cancer Institute, investigating the effectiveness of the HPV vaccine in treating actinic keratoses.

Actinic keratosis, a precursor to skin cancer, is caused by the sun's harmful effects on the skin and affects approximately 40% of Danes over 50 years old.

All trial patients are now fully vaccinated, and by summer 2024, the last patient will complete the follow-up period. Afterwards, it will be revealed which patients received the HPV vaccine and which received the placebo.

The team will then begin to address the big question: 'Can the HPV vaccine protect against skin cancer?'

The final trial results will be published on vfhk.org