human papillomavirus quadrivalent vaccine

Gardasil is a quadrivalent vaccine developed by Merck & Co. to prevent infections and associated diseases caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) types 6, 11, 16, and 18. The vaccine is composed of highly purified virus-like particles (VLPs) of the recombinant major capsid (L1) protein of each of the four HPV types. HPV types 16 and 18 are high-risk genotypes responsible for approximately 70% of cervical cancers and a significant portion of other HPV-related malignancies, while types 6 and 11 are low-risk genotypes that cause about 90% of genital warts. Upon administration, the vaccine induces a robust humoral immune response, generating neutralizing antibodies that prevent the virus from entering host cells. It was the first HPV vaccine approved by the FDA in 2006 and is indicated for the prevention of cervical, vulvar, vaginal, and anal cancers, as well as genital warts and precancerous or dysplastic lesions.

Brand names

GardasilSilgard

Other names

HPV-6, -11, -16, -18 vaccine4vHPVquadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccinehuman papillomavirus vaccine [types 6, 11, 16, 18] (recombinant, adsorbed)