Broad protection from quadrivalent HPV vaccine

Merck’s human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Gardasil protects women not only against HPV 6/11/16/18 but also reduces the risk of other cervical lesions and genital warts (J Nat Cancer Inst 2010; published online 5 February; doi: 10.1093/jnci/djp534).

Analysis of outcomes in 17 622 women aged 15–26 years who participated in a randomised efficacy trial showed that, after an average of 3.6 years’ follow-up, the vaccine prevented infection by 14 HPV types. It also significantly reduced high-grade cervical lesions by 19 per cent, vulval and vaginal lesions by 51 per cent, genital warts by 62 per cent, and Pap abnormalities by 11 per cent. The need for diagnostic procedures and intervention was also reduced, with a 23 per cent reduction in cervical definitive therapy.