Human papillomavirus antigens (HPV antigens)

Human papillomavirus (HPV) antigens are a group of viral proteins that play distinct roles in the viral life cycle and the pathogenesis of HPV-related diseases. The late proteins, L1 and L2, form the viral capsid, with L1 being the primary component used in virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines to elicit protective neutralizing antibodies (StatPearls, 2023; CDC, 2024). The early proteins, particularly E6 and E7, are potent oncoproteins that drive malignant transformation by inactivating the host tumor suppressor proteins p53 and pRb, respectively (PMC, 2020; mBio, 2024). These antigens are the primary targets for both preventative vaccines and emerging therapeutic interventions aimed at clearing persistent infections and treating HPV-associated malignancies (PMC, 2020; Patsnap Synapse, 2025). HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer and contributes significantly to other anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers worldwide (StatPearls, 2023; ResearchGate, 2025). Current clinical strategies focus on high-coverage vaccination to prevent infection, while research continues into therapeutic vaccines that target early antigens to induce cellular immune responses against established lesions (Patsnap Synapse, 2025; GlobalData, 2024).

Other names

HPV proteinsHPV L1 proteinHPV E6 proteinHPV E7 proteinHPV L2 proteinHPV E1 proteinHPV E2 proteinHPV E4 proteinHPV E5 proteinHPV virus-like particles

Prophylactic vaccines utilize virus-like particles (VLPs) of the L1 protein to induce high titers of neutralizing antibodies that prevent viral attachment and entry into host cells (StatPearls, 2023; CDC, 2024). Therapeutic candidates target E6 and E7 proteins to stimulate cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses to eliminate infected or transformed cells (PMC, 2020; Patsnap Synapse, 2025).