HPV vaccine
Gardasil 9RCSB PDB 1DZL · 3D model
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Trains the immune system to recognize HPV using lab-made particles that look like the virus but contain no viral DNA.
How it works
The vaccine is made from empty, virus-shaped shells built from a single HPV surface protein — no live virus, no viral DNA, so there's nothing that can infect you. It targets nine of the HPV types most linked to cancer and genital warts. Once injected into the muscle, these shells teach your immune system to recognize the real virus and make antibodies against it.
What it’s used for
Approved for anyone ages 9 to 45 to help prevent several cancers linked to HPV, along with genital warts and precancerous changes. It works best when given before a person is exposed to HPV, which is why it's routinely recommended in early adolescence.
- Mechanism
- Recombinant HPV L1 capsid protein virus-like particles
- Drug class
- Protein subunit vaccine
- Therapeutic area
- Vaccine (HPV)