A LARGE international cohort study provides compelling new evidence that the 9-valent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine significantly reduces the risk of HPV-related cancers in males. The findings strengthen the case for gender-neutral vaccination programmes.
The study analysed data from more than 2.9 million males aged 9 to 26 years between 2016 and 2024. Among these, over 615,000 individuals received at least one dose of the 9-valent HPV vaccine, while more than 2.2 million were unvaccinated. After applying propensity score matching to balance the cohorts, 510,260 participants remained in each group.
HPV Vaccine Cuts Cancer Risk in Young Males
Researchers assessed the incidence of HPV-related cancers, including head and neck, oesophageal, anal, and penile cancers. The results showed a marked reduction in cancer risk among vaccinated males. Overall, vaccination was associated with a 46% lower risk of developing HPV-related cancers compared with unvaccinated individuals (hazard ratio 0.54; 95% CI 0.37–0.81).
Importantly, the protective association was consistent across age groups. Among boys aged 9 to 14 years, vaccination was linked to a 42% reduction in cancer risk (HR 0.58), while in those aged 15 to 26 years, the reduction reached 50% (HR 0.50). These findings suggest that both early and later vaccination in adolescence and young adulthood confer meaningful protection.
HPV is a well-established cause of multiple cancers affecting both sexes, yet vaccination efforts have historically focused on females due to the link with cervical cancer. This study adds to a growing body of evidence demonstrating that males also benefit substantially from vaccination, both individually and in reducing overall disease burden.
Evidence Strengthens Case for HPV Vaccine in Young Males
The authors conclude that the 9-valent HPV vaccine plays a significant role in preventing HPV-related cancers in males and support the expansion of sex-neutral vaccination strategies. Broader implementation could improve population-level cancer prevention and reduce disparities in HPV-related disease outcomes.
Further long-term studies may help clarify the full extent of protection across different populations, but the current findings already provide strong support for increasing vaccine uptake among boys and young men.
Reference
Kitano T, Yoshida S. Nine-Valent Human Papillomavirus Vaccination and Related Cancers in Males. JAMA Oncol. 2026; DOI: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2026.0496.
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