SUMMARY OF WINNING ENTRY

Discoveries and development of HPV vaccines for prevention of tumors caused by human papillomavirus.

Foundational studies on human papillomavirus capsid proteins by Douglas Lowy and John Schiller led to the development of highly effective HPV vaccines, preventing millions of cervical cancer cases, especially in developing countries. Single-dose HPV vaccination, validated by Aimee Kreimer’s seminal clinical studies has increased worldwide access and is established as a World Health Organization recommendation. In addition, laboratory and epidemiological studies by Maura Gillison and Aimée Kreimer established the link between HPV and head-and-neck cancers, which represent an emerging cancer threat expected to be mitigated by HPV vaccination efforts. The achievements of Douglas Lowy, John Schiller, Aimée Kreimer, and Maura Gillison have already saved millions of lives and will keep lowering the global cancer burden for decades to come.

SCALE OF IMPACT

Human papillomavirus causes around 690,000 new cancer cases and 350,000 deaths annually. Most of the cases occur in Asia and Africa, where single-dose vaccination dramatically enhances access and dissemination. Over 250 million doses have been given to more than 86 million girls, expecting to avert millions more cases.

MEANINGFUL CHANGE

HPV vaccines been given to millions of girls and boys and it is estimated that vaccination will prevent at least 8 million additional cancer cases caused by human papilloma viruses in the next 7 decades.