April 24, 2018
CSM Symposium Preview: Dr. Ian Frazer
Now, Frazer focuses his research on the immune response to epithelial cancers such as skin cancer, human papillomavirus (HPV) associated infections and novel approaches to vaccine development.
Every year, receive the diagnosis of cervical cancer. It鈥檚 the second most common type of cancer in women, and one of the deadliest. In 2012, cervical cancer was responsible for an , accounting for 7.5 per cent of all female cancer deaths.
The Gardasil vaccine protects against HPV, a sexually transmitted infection (STI) which is the precursor to almost 100 percent of cervical cancers. HPV has also been linked to the development of other forms of cancer. Gardasil is currently undergoing a Phase I clinical trial to repurpose it for the treatment of head and neck cancers.
Prior to the application of Gardasil, more than 70 per cent of sexually active Canadians were estimated to contract HPV, making it the most commonly transmitted STI in the country.
Since the approval of Gardasil in Canada in 2006, there has been a . However, cervical cancer is still a problem. Approximately . The vaccination status for Canadians is sitting at , which is well below the target (more than 85 per cent).
Over the course of his career, Frazer has had the rare opportunity to see vaccine development through basic science, clinical trials and global application. During this year鈥檚 , he鈥檒l speak about his work on the Gardasil vaccine, as well as recent research taking place in his lab.
For more information on Dr. Frazer, check out the recent biography by Madonna King: .
Leah Hohman is a PhD Candidate in the Department of Immunology and CSM Symposium committee member.
Dr. Ian Frazer