Vaccine Update: New Information
on the Benefit of HPV Vaccination
Stanley A. Gall, MD
T
he FDA licensed the Quadrivalent HPV vaccine (Gardasil – HPV 4) in 2006 and the
Bivalent HPV vaccine (Cervarix – HPV 2 )
in 20091, 2. These vaccines are non-live virus vaccines
composed of viruslike particles (VLPs) prepared
from the Ll capsid protein of the targeted HPV
type. The vaccines lack viral DNA and the L2 capsid
protein. HPV 4 is directed against HPV types 6, 11,
16, 18 and HPV 2 is directed against HPV types
16, 18. The vaccines are prophylactic and have no
therapeutic effect on HPV-related disease or on
the rate of progression in persons who have HPV infection at the time of
vaccination (Table 1). The data in this table are important because if HPV
is present then no immune reaction against that HPV type will occur and
there will be no efficacy. However if a person has HPV antibodies but no live
HPV present the patient will mount an immune response and be protected.
In efficacy trials with HPV 4 in females aged 16-2