The First Vaccine Against Cervical Cancer Is Approved

In 2006, the first preventive vaccine targeting human papillomavirus became commercially available, marking a milestone in oncology and public health. Designed to generate acquired immunity against specific strains of the virus, the vaccine targeted the primary viral triggers of cervical cancer. About 95 percent of cervical cancers are caused by persistent HPV infections, with viral types 16 and 18 together responsible for approximately 70 percent of cases worldwide. By employing hollow virus-like particles assembled from recombinant viral coat proteins, the formulations trained the immune system without using live viral genetic material.

The initial product, a quadrivalent vaccine sold as Gardasil, protected against high-risk types 16 and 18, along with types 6 and 11, which cause anogenital warts. A bivalent vaccine known as Cervarix joined the field shortly thereafter, focusing strictly on types 16 and 18, while a later nonavalent version, Gardasil 9, expanded protection to five additional high-risk types: 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58. Clinical trials demonstrated high efficacy in preventing precancerous lesions, and the quadrivalent and nonavalent formulations offered virtually complete defense against genital warts caused by their targeted strains.