Florida group launches HPV study for men

Although many studies on human papillomavirus--and vaccines to combat it--have focused on the link between HPV and cervical cancer in women, few studies have examined the impact of the sexually transmitted disease among men. But the Florida-based H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute is working to change that through an HPV study involving 3,000 men. "We are a few years away from having a vaccine for women licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration," the institute's Anna Giuliano told the Chicago Tribune. "We don't know if we need to vaccinate men," she said. The four-year study will look at whether men develop antibodies against HPV and, if so, at what age they should be vaccinated against the virus. HPV has been linked with virtually all cases of cervical cancer, but the virus also has been linked with a higher incidence of anal cancer in gay men. HPV also causes genital and anal warts.