Advances in human papilloma virus vaccines: a patent review.
BACKGROUND
Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is the main factor associated with the development of cervical cancer. The currently available HPV vaccines, Gardasil and Cervarix, can prevent infection by certain HPV types, but not all. At present, research efforts are being devoted to developing more broad spectrum preventative vaccines, as well as therapeutic vaccines.


METHODS
Recent advances in HPV vaccine development are reviewed in this paper, with a focus on worldwide patents and patent applications. In principle, patents that have been granted since 2002 are covered. Exceptions are the patents pending at PCT stage and recent patent applications since 2009. Readers will gain insights into the cutting-edge technologies being used in the development and production of vaccines, as well as adjuvant systems.


CONCLUSIONS
In the future, the use of mosaic virus-like particles (VLPs,) comprising at least one L1 protein of each HPV type, may be able to prevent infection by all HPV types while patented codon-optimization techniques and the use of edible or DNA-based vaccines may be good places to start for reducing costs. Future vaccines should ideally have both preventive and therapeutic efficacies. Enhanced immunogenicity could be achieved by the use of more effective adjuvants, such as nanoparticle-based delivery systems, or new classes of adjuvants.
Seoul National University, College of Pharmacy, Daehak-dong, Gwanank-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
Hee-Jeong
HJ
Cho
Yu-Kyoung
YK
Oh
Young Bong
YB
Kim
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D036022:Capsid Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D010330:Patents as Topic; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000819:agonists; D019444:Vaccines, DNA / Q000276:immunology; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000276:immunology; D014771:Virion / Q000276:immunology
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D036022:Capsid Proteins; C114580:HPV L1 protein, Human papillomavirus; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors; D019444:Vaccines, DNA; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic