Quadrivalent human papillomavirus recombinant vaccine: the first vaccine for cervical cancers.
Gardasil is the first quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV)-types 6, 11, 16, 18 recombinant vaccine approved by the FDA on June 8, 2006. It induces genotype-specific virus-neutralizing antibodies and prevents infection with HPV. Various clinical trials demonstrated a reduction in the incidence of vaccine-type-specific persistent infections and of associated moderate- and high-grade cervical dysplasias and carcinomas in situ after its use. Gardasil is currently approved by FDA for prevention of genital warts, cancers and precancerous conditions of cervix and vulva in 9-26 year old females. Three doses of 0.5 ml of gardasil each at 0, 2 and 6 months are given intramuscularly. It is contraindicated in individuals who are hypersensitive to the active substances or to any of the excipients of the vaccine, patients with bleeding abnormalities or patients on anticoagulant therapy and during pregnancy. However, the vaccine, at an estimated $300-500 per course, is too expensive for many women in developing countries. Moreover, question regarding the longevity of the protection by vaccine is still unsolved. Hence, longer studies are required to establish its real status in cancer prevention.
Sharma
Rashmi
R
J and K Health Services, Jammu, J and K, India. rashmichams@yahoo.com
Sharma
Chaman Lal
CL
D000328:Adult; D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D000068857:Human Papillomavirus Recombinant Vaccine Quadrivalent, Types 6, 11, 16, 18; D006801:Humans; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015995:Prevalence; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D000068857:Human Papillomavirus Recombinant Vaccine Quadrivalent, Types 6, 11, 16, 18; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic