Human papillomavirus vaccines: Current status and perspectives

Abstract

Cervical cancer is the second cause of death from cancer among women worldwide. Long-term infection with the human papillomaviruse (HPV) can lead to malignant anogenital tumors. The HPV oncogenic types 16 and 18 account for approximately 70% of cervical cancer and have received the greatest attention. Two pharmaceutical companies, Merck and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), have developed commercial versions of prophylactic HPV vaccine. These vaccines are based on the intrinsic ability of the L1 viral capsid protein to self-assemble into virus-like particles. Both of them target HPV16 and HPV18 with excellent safety profile and type-specific protection. However, therapeutic vaccines are designed to treat preexisting HPV infections and have been focused on the viral oncoproteins, E6 and E7. Various types of therapeutic HPV vaccines have been designed; and many of them are currently in clinical trials. So far, combined approaches appear to be more promising for treating persistent HPV infections. The aim of this review is to summarize the status of HPV vaccines and their perspectives.