Abstract: Infectious agents contribute to the environmental factors involved in the development of autoimmune diseases possibly through molecular mimicry mechanisms. Hence, it is feasible that vaccinations may also contribute to the mosaic of autoimmunity. Evidence for the association of vaccinations and the development of these diseases is presented in this review. Infrequently reported post-vaccination autoimmune diseases include systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory myopathies, multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and vasculitis. In addition, we will discuss macrophagic myofasciitis, aluminum containing vaccines, and the recent evidence for autoimmunity following human papilloma virus vaccine. ... Read more

Abstract: The clearly defined causation by papillomavirus (HPV) and precursor lesions of cervical cancer have made this cancer largely preventable through Pap screening programs, and now by vaccination with Gardasil. This represents an important public health success story and here the authors summarize the potential impact of preventive HPV vaccination and some of the outstanding questions. ... Read more

Abstract: Stress influences the neuroendocrine dynamics and increases the release of glucocorticoids and catecholamines (such as norepinephrine and epinephrine). These hormones suppress the immune system. Stress doesn't by itself cause cancer. However it can alter the cancer cell growth dynamics in cancer's favor. ... Read more

Abstract: Cancer treatment has been marred by the fact that most drugs target cancer cells as well as normal cells. Gene therapy is one of a handful of methods that will make cancer cells "stand out," allowing drugs or the host's immune system to selectively target cancer cells. ... Read more

A new vaccine for human papillomavirus (HPV) has achieved 100% protection against the viral infection in young women, recently reported by a team led by Dr. Laura A. Koutsky of University of Washington, Seattle, WA and Dr. Kathrin U. Jansen of Merck Research Laboratories, Blue Bell, PA in the N. Engl. J. Med. (347:1645-1651, Nov. 21, 2002).

About 20% of adults are infected with HPV type 16 during their lifetimes. Approximately 90% of the infections resolve spontaneously and uneventfully. However some of the persistent viral infections eventually lead to cervical cancer (20 years later on average), which affects 470,000 women a ... Read more