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Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Use of Interferon-γ Enzyme-linked Immunospot Assay to Characterize Novel T-cell Epitopes of Human Papillomavirus
Published on: March 8, 2012
[Vaccination against human papilloma virus and cervical cancer]
Mona Iankovic Kidon1, Edward Shechter, Elias Toubi
1Allergy and Clinical Immunoelogy, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer.
Abstract:
The human papilloma virus family (HPV], mainly HPV 16, 18 but less HPV 31, 45 were proven to be the cause of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cancer. Following natural infection, only half of the infected women develop neutralizing antibodies and even these were of a very Low titer and found to be ineffective. Hence, an efficient vaccination followed by the development of long tasting neutralizing antibodies is needed. Two different vaccines are now Licensed in IsraeL: Cervarix and Gardasil. The first is composed of viral-like particles of HPV 16, 18 and a complex of two adjuvants (aluminum salts and MPL [TLR-4 agonist]). The second is composed of 4 HPV types, HPV 16, 18 (related to cervical cancer] and HPV 6, 11 (related to condyloma). Cervarix is characterized by inducing long lasting titers of neutralizing antibodies and a higher level of memory B cells. Surveillance of Gardasil vaccines reveals a decrease in the titer of neutralizing antibodies, namely those against HPV 18. In addition, to the high titer of antibodies against HPV 16, 18, Cervarix offers 100% protection against additional HPV types mainly 13 and 45. This cross protection is considered to be one of the important advantages over Gardasil. Both vaccines present a strong safety profile. Final clinical outcomes are the subject of many future studies.
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