Virus-like particles used in the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine

Institution:

School of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Rochester Medical Center

Researchers:

William Bonnez, M.D., Richard Reichman, M.D., Robert C. Rose, Ph.D., University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry

Impact:

The HPV vaccine protects against the precursors of most cervical, vulvar, vaginal and anal cancers, and is also expected to offer protection against some penile and oropharyngeal cancers. Bonnez, Reichman and Rose were the first to produce HPV virus-like particles, a harmless mimic of the infectious virus with no risk of infection, and to demonstrate that they provoke a protective immune response against HPV.

Timeline:

Gardasil, the HPV vaccine made by Merck & Co. was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2006.