HPV Infection and Vaccine
HPV infection and Vaccine
Infection with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is necessary for the development of cervical precancer and cancer. HPV virus can infect the genital area and is generally sexually transmitted. A subset of those subtypes can cause cancer and are therefore named high-risk HPV (hrHPV). The lifetime risk of acquiring any HPV infection likely exceeds 80%. HPV infection is more commonly the rule, not the exception. The majority of women clear the infection through their immune system and only a fraction develops persistent infection. It is persistence that can cause precancer and if not detected and treated can potentially progress to cervical cancer.
The HPV vaccine that is used in the NOVEL Trial in Gardasil® 9. Gardasil® 9 is a licensed vaccine for children and adolescents from 9 years of age and adults. It is given to protect against diseases caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58. Gardasil® 9 protects against the HPV types that cause 90% of cases of cervical cancer and 90% of the cases of anogenital warts.
Gardasil® 9 is intended to prevent these diseases. The vaccine is not used to treat HPV related diseases. Gardasil® 9 does not have effect in individuals who already have a persistent infection or disease associated with any of the HPV types in the vaccine. However, in individuals who are already infected with one or more of the vaccine HPV types, Gardasil® 9 can still protect against diseases associated with the other HPV types in the vaccine.
When an individual is vaccinated with Gardasil® 9, the immune system (the body’s natural defense system) stimulates production of antibodies against the nine vaccine HPV types, to help protect against the diseases caused by these viruses.
