quadrivalent human papillomavirus (types 6,11,16,18) recombinant vaccine

A vaccine composed of recombinant virus-like particles (VLPs) representing HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18, designed to elicit neutralizing antibodies that provide immunity against these HPV types. Gardasil was developed for the prevention of cervical, vulvar, vaginal, and anal cancers caused by HPV types 16 and 18, as well as genital warts and precancerous lesions caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18. HPV 16 and 18 account for approximately 70% of cervical cancers and a majority of HPV-induced anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers, while HPV 6 and 11 cause roughly 90% of genital warts. The vaccine uses recombinant technology to form non-infectious VLPs, thus it cannot cause HPV infection, but strongly activates the immune system to produce targeted antibodies.

Brand names

Gardasil

Other names

human papillomavirus quadrivalent (types 6, 11, 16, and 18) vaccine, recombinant