Preventive and Therapeutic Vaccines against Human Papillomaviruses Associated Cervical Cancers

Cervical cancer is, globally known to be, one of the most common cancers among women especially indeveloping countries. More than 90% of cervical cancers are associated with high-risk humanpapillomaviruses (HPVs) particularly HPV types 16 and 18. Two major strategies have been developed forprevention and treatment of cervical cancer and other HPV-associated malignancies; the first one is based onHPV virus-like particles (VLPs) containing HPV structural proteins. VLP based vaccines can inducegenotype specific virus neutralizing antibodies for preventing HPV infections. The other strategy is based onHPV early genes especially E6 and E7 for eliminating the established HPV infections; therefore they areclassified as HPV therapeutic vaccines. This article reviews the preventive and therapeutic vaccines againstHPV infections and cervical cancer.