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, more than 530,000 women worldwide receive the diagnosis of cervical cancer. It’s the second most common type of cancer in women, and one of the deadliest. In 2012, cervical cancer was responsible for an estimated 266,000 deaths, 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 dramatic decline in HPV prevalence. However, cervical cancer is still a problem. Approximately 1,550 Canadian women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer each year, and an estimated 400 will die from it. The vaccination status for Canadians is sitting at approximately 56 per cent, 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’s CSM Symposium, he’ll 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: Ian Frazer: The Man Who Saved a Million Lives.

 Leah Hohman is a PhD Candidate in the Department of Immunology and CSM Symposium committee member.