No increased risk of autoimmune diseases following HPV vaccination: a systematic review and meta-analysis

HPV vaccination reduces the risk of anogenital warts, high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2+), and cervical cancer. To enhance immunogenicity, HPV vaccines include adjuvants such as toll-like receptor agonists, which may theoretically trigger autoimmune responses. However, existing data on this risk remain conflicting. This systematic review and meta-analysis assess the association between HPV vaccination and autoimmune disease onset in post-licensure controlled studies. Methods: A compre- hensive literature search was conducted in Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, and the Cochrane Library from inception to June 2024, following PRISMA guidelines. The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024606834). Results: A total of 356 studies were identified, including cross-reference reviews. Fourteen met inclusion criteria for qualitative and quantitative analysis, encompassing 8,088,838 patients, of whom 2,041,865 received the HPV vaccine. Conclusions: This meta-analysis found no significant association between HPV vaccination and autoimmune disease development. However, further large-scale observational studies are needed, particularly among male recipients, as current evidence is predominantly based on female populations. Future research should also evaluate risks for specific autoimmune disorders to refine the vaccine’s safety profile.