Antibodies induced by vaccines against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in the female population of Latin America

Abstract

Vaccination represents one of the most effective medical advances in human history, but there are still gaps in knowledge about the immunogenicity induced over time by vaccines against human papillomavirus. The objective of this article is to describe the immune response induced by vaccines against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in Latin America, addressing the antibody titers developed, the methods of evaluation, and the impact on immunity. Methodologically, the type of research is documentary. A search was conducted for original articles, reviews, and meta-analyses. A total of 22 articles were reviewed, all freely accessible, published in Spanish and English from 2018 to 2024, using Boolean search operators. The main results show that antibody responses to HPV persist for at least 5 to 10 years after vaccination and administration of one dose of the vaccine. Some statistical estimates with bivalent vaccines predict that antibody levels have a durability of up to 70.1 years and 78.8 years, even for life, in girls aged 10 to 14 years. In contrast, predictions in women aged 15 to 55 years indicated antibody levels lasting up to 30 years. It is concluded that there is ample evidence of immunity induced by the different types of vaccines in circulation, but gaps remain in Latin America regarding antibody detection and the usefulness of vaccines in preventing cervical cancer and other associated cancers.