With more than 625,000 new cases and 323,000 deaths¹ worldwide each year, cancers of the Upper AeroDigestive Tract (UADT) represent a major public health challenge. Among them, the incidence of HPV-related oropharyngeal carcinoma is significantly rising and now exceeding that of cervical cancer².

Each year in France, an estimated of 15,000³ new HPV-related cancer cases occur and worldwide, 4.5% of cancers² are attributable to this virus.

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HPV - What is it?

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‍HPV is a DNA virus from the Papillomaviridae family that infects the basal cells of cutaneous and mucosal epithelia, often through microtraumas. More than 200 genotypes have been identified, some of which have a high oncogenic potential — particularly HPV16 and HPV18 strains — implicated in the development of anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers.

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A concerning increase in UADT cancers since the 1980s

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For several decades, a significant increase in oropharyngeal cancers, particularly in the tonsils and the base of the tongue, has been observed. This phenomenon predominantly affects young patients, often non-smokers, and is closely linked to infection with HPV16 and HPV18 strains, identified as highly oncogenic. In addition, 42% of oropharyngeal cancers are attributed to HPV.⁴

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Transmission occurs mainly:

• through sexual contact,
• via invasive Medical Devices with contaminated sheaths⁵, linked to inadequate disinfection protocols.

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Dr. Kac's study highlights the persistent risks of cross-contamination, even when protective sheaths are used, underlining the limitations of certain disinfection practices currently in place.⁵

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UV-C Yuvee® technology: A clinically validated solution against HPV

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In response to this infectious risk, UV-C High-Level Disinfection stands out as a breakthrough technology: Yuvee®.
Developed by Germitec, this technology is based on UV-C light which penetrates the membrane of microorganisms breaking the bonds of DNA, RNA, and cellular proteins, stopping their proliferation and thus inactivating their pathogenic power.

To evaluate the effectiveness of Yuvee® in clinical contexts, Germitec specifically chose the most resistant HPV16 and HPV18 strains:

• 2014: Initial clinical validation in real clinical conditions through an official report from Lyon Hospices Civils (France).⁶
• 2017: Publication of Dr. Meyers' study demonstrating that Yuvee® technology effectively eliminates HPV, including HPV16 and HPV18 strains.⁷
• 2019: Publication of Dr. Pichon's comparative study showing that Yuvee® is superior to disinfection with chemical impregnated wipes.⁸

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An innovative and clinically evaluated technology

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To date, Germitec is the first and only company to have evaluated the effectiveness of UV-C High-Level Disinfection against HPV in real clinical conditions.⁷^,⁸

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The integration of UV-C technology into disinfection protocols for invasive ENT Medical Devices represents a major advancement in preventing persistent viral infections and associated cancers.

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Learn more about Chronos® Max, our UV-C High-Level Disinfection device for Cardiology and ENT departments.​

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** Product available in Europe and Oceania, not available in the US

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References:

1. Menezes et al. Global incidence trends in head and neck cancer for HPV-related and -unrelated subsites: A systematic review of population-based studies. Oral Oncol. 2021 Apr;115:105177. doi: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2020.105177.
2. Marur et al. HPV-associated head and neck cancer: a virus-related cancer epidemic. Lancet Oncol. 2010 Aug;11(8):781-9. doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(10)70017-6.
3. Cancer des voies aéro-digestives supérieures(VADS) | Ligue contre le cancer.
4. Europe = 42% avec la source Ndon S, Singh A, Ha PK, Aswani J, Chan JY, Xu MJ. Human Papillomavirus-Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer: Global Epidemiology and Public Policy Implications. Cancers (Basel). 2023;15(16):4080. Published 2023 Aug 13. doi:10.3390/cancers15164080.
5. Kac et al. Evaluation of Ultraviolet C for Disinfection of Endocavitary Ultrasound Transducers Persistently Contaminated despite Probe Covers. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2010 Feb;31(2):165-70. doi: 10.1086/649794.
6. Rapport sur l'évaluation de l'Antigermix S1, September2014.
7. Meyers C, et al. (2017) UVC Radiation as an Effective Disinfectant Method to Inactivate Human Papillomaviruses PLoS ONE 12 (10): e0187377.
8. Pichon M, et al. (2019) Decontamination of Intravaginal Probes Infected by Human Papillomavirus (HPV Using UV-C Decontamination System. J. Clin. Med, 8, 1776; doi:10.3390/jcm8111776.)