CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
Mechanism Of Action
HPV only infects human beings. Animal studies with analogous animal papillomaviruses suggest that
the efficacy of L1 VLP vaccines may involve the development of humoral immune responses. Efficacy of
GARDASIL 9 against anogenital diseases related to the vaccine HPV types in human beings is thought to
be mediated by humoral immune responses induced by the vaccine, although the exact mechanism of
protection is unknown.
Clinical Studies
In these studies, seropositive is defined as anti-HPV titer greater than or equal to the pre-specified
serostatus cutoff for a given HPV type. Seronegative is defined as anti-HPV titer less than the prespecified
serostatus cutoff for a given HPV type. The serostatus cutoff is the antibody titer level above the
assay’s lower limit of quantification that reliably distinguishes sera samples classified by clinical likelihood
of HPV infection and positive or negative status by previous versions of competitive Luminex
Immunoassay (cLIA). The lower limits of quantification and serostatus cutoffs for each of the 9 vaccine
HPV types are shown in Table 5 below. PCR positive is defined as DNA detected for a given HPV type.
PCR negative is defined as DNA not detected for a given HPV type. The lower limit of detection for the
multiplexed HPV PCR assays ranged from 5 to 34 copies per test across the 9 vaccine HPV types.
Table 5: Competitive Luminex Immunoassay (cLIA) Limits of Quantification and Serostatus Cutoffs for GARDASIL 9 HPV Types
HPV Type |
cLIA Lower Limit of Quantification
(mMU*/mL) |
cLIA Serostatus Cutoff
(mMU*/mL) |
HPV 6 |
16 |
30 |
HPV 11 |
6 |
16 |
HPV 16 |
12 |
20 |
HPV 18 |
8 |
24 |
HPV 31 |
4 |
10 |
HPV 33 |
4 |
8 |
HPV 45 |
3 |
8 |
HPV 52 |
3 |
8 |
HPV 58 |
4 |
8 |
*mMU=milli-Merck Units |
Efficacy And Effectiveness Data For GARDASIL
Efficacy and effectiveness of GARDASIL are relevant to GARDASIL 9 since the vaccines are
manufactured similarly and contain four of the same HPV L1 VLPs.
Individuals 16 Through 26 Years Of Age
Efficacy of GARDASIL was assessed in five AAHS-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trials
evaluating 24,596 individuals 16 through 26 years of age (20,541 girls and women and 4,055 boys and
men). The results of these trials are shown in Table 6 below.
Table 6: Analysis of Efficacy of GARDASIL in the PPE* Population for Vaccine HPV Types
Disease Endpoints |
GARDASIL |
AAHS Control |
% Efficacy
(95% CI) |
N |
Number of cases |
N |
Number of
cases |
16- through 26-Year-Old Girls and Women† |
HPV 16- or 18-related CIN 2/3 or AIS |
8493 |
2 |
8464 |
112 |
98.2
(93.5, 99.8) |
HPV 16- or 18-related VIN 2/3 |
7772 |
0 |
7744 |
10 |
100.0
(55.5, 100.0) |
HPV 16- or 18-related VaIN 2/3 |
7772 |
0 |
7744 |
9 |
100.0
(49.5, 100.0) |
HPV 6-, 11-, 16-, or 18-related CIN (CIN
1, CIN 2/3) or AIS |
7864 |
9 |
7865 |
225 |
96.0
(92.3, 98.2) |
HPV 6-, 11-, 16-, or 18-related Genital
Warts |
7900 |
2 |
7902 |
193 |
99.0
(96.2, 99.9) |
HPV 6- and 11-related Genital Warts |
6932 |
2 |
6856 |
189 |
99.0
(96.2, 99.9) |
16- through 26-Year-Old Boys and Men |
External Genital Lesions HPV 6-, 11-, 16-, or 18-related |
External Genital Lesions |
1394 |
3 |
1404 |
32 |
90.6 (70.1, 98.2) |
Condyloma |
1394 |
3 |
1404 |
28 |
89.3 (65.3, 97.9) |
PIN 1/2/3 |
1394 |
0 |
1404 |
4 |
100.0 (-52.1, 100.0) |
HPV 6-, 11-, 16-, or 18-related Endpoint |
AIN 1/2/3 |
194 |
5 |
208 |
24 |
77.5 (39.6, 93.3) |
AIN 2/3 |
194 |
3 |
208 |
13 |
74.9 (8.8, 95.4) |
AIN 1 |
194 |
4 |
208 |
16 |
73.0 (16.3, 93.4) |
Condyloma Acuminatum |
194 |
0 |
208 |
6 |
100.0 (8.2, 100.0) |
Non-acuminate |
194 |
4 |
208 |
11 |
60.4 (-33.5, 90.8) |
*The PPE population consisted of individuals who received all three vaccinations within one year of enrollment, did not have major
deviations from the study protocol, were naïve (PCR negative and seronegative) to the relevant HPV type(s) (Types 6, 11, 16, and
18) prior to dose 1 and who remained PCR negative to the relevant HPV type(s) through one month post-dose 3 (Month 7).
†Analyses of the combined trials were prospectively planned and included the use of similar study entry criteria.
N=Number of individuals with at least one follow-up visit after Month 7
CI=Confidence Interval
Note 1: Point estimates and confidence intervals are adjusted for person-time of follow-up.
Note 2: Table 6 does not include cases due to HPV types not covered by the vaccine.
AAHS = Amorphous Aluminum Hydroxyphosphate Sulfate, CIN = Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia, VIN = Vulvar Intraepithelial
Neoplasia, VaIN=Vaginal Intraepithelial Neoplasia, PIN=Penile Intraepithelial Neoplasia, AIN=Anal Intraepithelial Neoplasia,
AIS=Adenocarcinoma In Situ |
In an extension study in females 16 through 26 years of age at enrollment, prophylactic efficacy of
GARDASIL through Month 60 against overall cervical and genital disease related to HPV 6, 11, 16, and
18 was 100% (95% CI: 12.3%, 100%) compared to AAHS control.
An extension study in girls and women 16 through 23 years of age used national healthcare registries
in Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden to monitor endpoint cases of HPV 6-, 11-, 16-, or 18-related
CIN (any grade), AIS, cervical cancer, vulvar cancer, or vaginal cancer among 2,650 girls and women 16
through 23 years of age at enrollment who were randomized to vaccination with GARDASIL. An interim
analysis of the per-protocol effectiveness population included 1,902 subjects who completed the
GARDASIL vaccination series within one year, were naïve to the relevant HPV type through 1 month
post-dose 3, had no protocol violations, and had follow-up data available. The median follow-up from the
first dose of vaccine was 6.7 years with a range of 2.8 to 8.4 years. At the time of interim analysis, no
cases of HPV 6-, 11-, 16-, or 18-related CIN (any grade), AIS, cervical cancer, vulvar cancer, or vaginal
cancer were observed over a total of 5,765 person-years at risk.
Girls And Boys 9 Through 15 Years Of Age
An extension study of 614 girls and 565 boys 9 through 15 years of age at enrollment who were
randomized to vaccination with GARDASIL actively followed subjects for endpoint cases of HPV 6-, 11-,
16-, or 18-related persistent infection, CIN (any grade), AIS, VIN, VaIN, cervical cancer, vulvar cancer,
vaginal cancer, and external genital lesions from the initiation of sexual activity or age 16 onwards. An
interim analysis of the per-protocol effectiveness population included 246 girls and 168 boys who
completed the GARDASIL vaccination series within one year, were seronegative to the relevant HPV
type at initiation of the vaccination series, and had not initiated sexual activity prior to receiving the third
dose of GARDASIL. The median follow-up from the first dose of vaccine was 7.2 years with a range of
0.5 to 8.5 years. At the time of interim analysis, no cases of persistent infection of at least 12 months’
duration and no cases of HPV 6-, 11-, 16-, or 18-related CIN (any grade), AIS, VIN, VaIN, cervical
cancer, vulvar cancer, vaginal cancer, or external genital lesions were observed over a total 1,105
person-years at risk. There were 4 cases of HPV 6-, 11-, 16-, or 18-related persistent infection of at least
6 months’ duration, including 3 cases related to HPV 16 and 1 case related to HPV 6, none of which
persisted to 12 months’ duration.
Women 27 Through 45 Years Of Age
A clinical trial evaluated efficacy of GARDASIL in 3,253 women 27 through 45 years of age, based on
a combined endpoint of HPV 6-, 11-, 16- or 18-related persistent infection, genital warts, vulvar and
vaginal dysplastic lesions of any grade, CIN of any grade, AIS, and cervical cancer. These women were
randomized 1:1 to receive either GARDASIL or AAHS control. The efficacy estimate for the combined
endpoint was driven primarily by prevention of persistent infection. No statistically significant efficacy was
demonstrated for GARDASIL in prevention of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grades 2 and 3 (CIN 2/3),
adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) or cervical cancer related to HPV types 16 and 18.
Clinical Trials For GARDASIL 9
Efficacy and/or immunogenicity of the 3-dose regimen of GARDASIL 9 were assessed in six clinical
trials. Study 1 evaluated the efficacy of GARDASIL 9 to prevent HPV-related cervical, vulvar, and vaginal
disease using GARDASIL as a comparator.
The analysis of efficacy for GARDASIL 9 was evaluated in the per-protocol efficacy (PPE) population
of 16- through 26-year-old girls and women, who received all three vaccinations within one year of
enrollment, did not have major deviations from the study protocol, and were naïve to the relevant HPV
type(s) by serology and PCR of cervicovaginal specimens prior to dose one and who remained PCR
negative for the relevant HPV type(s) through one month post-dose 3 (Month 7). Overall, approximately
52% of subjects were negative to all vaccine HPV types by both PCR and serology at Day 1.
The primary analysis of efficacy against HPV Types 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58 is based on a combined
endpoint of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN) 2, CIN 3, Adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), invasive
cervical carcinoma, Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia (VIN) 2/3, Vaginal Intraepithelial Neoplasia (VaIN)
2/3, vulvar cancer, or vaginal cancer. Other endpoints evaluated include cervical, vulvar and vaginal
disease of any grade, persistent infection, cytological abnormalities and invasive procedures. For all
endpoints, the efficacy against the HPV Types 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58 in GARDASIL 9 was evaluated
compared with GARDASIL. Efficacy of GARDASIL 9 against anal lesions caused by HPV Types 31, 33,
45, 52, and 58 was not assessed due to low incidence. Effectiveness of GARDASIL 9 against anal
lesions was inferred from the efficacy of GARDASIL against anal lesions caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16
and 18 in men and antibody responses elicited by GARDASIL 9 against the HPV types covered by the
vaccine.
Effectiveness against disease caused by HPV Types 6, 11, 16, and 18 was assessed by comparison
of geometric mean titers (GMTs) of type-specific antibodies following vaccination with GARDASIL 9 with
those following vaccination with GARDASIL (Study 1 and Study 3). The effectiveness of GARDASIL 9 in
girls and boys 9 through 15 years old and in boys and men 16 through 26 years old was inferred based
on a comparison of type-specific antibody GMTs to those of 16 through 26-year-old girls and women
following vaccination with GARDASIL 9. Immunogenicity analyses were performed in the per-protocol
immunogenicity (PPI) population consisting of individuals who received all three vaccinations within predefined
day ranges, did not have major deviations from the study protocol, met pre-defined day range for
serum collection for assessment of antibody response and were naïve [PCR negative (in girls and women
16 through 26 years of age; Studies 1 and 2) and seronegative (Studies 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 8)] to the
relevant HPV type(s) prior to dose 1 and among 16- through 26-year-old girls and women (Studies 1 and
2) remained PCR negative to the relevant HPV type(s) through Month 7. Pre-defined day ranges for
vaccinations were relative to Day 1 (dose 1). For the 3-dose schedule, dose 2 was at 2 months (± 3
weeks) and dose 3 was at 6 months (± 4 weeks). For the 2-dose schedule, dose 2 was at 6 or 12 months
(± 4 weeks). Pre-defined day range for serum collection for assessment of antibody response was 21 to
49 days after the last dose.
Study 1 evaluated immunogenicity of GARDASIL 9 and efficacy to prevent infection and disease
caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58 in 16- through 26-year-old girls and women.
Study 2 evaluated immunogenicity of GARDASIL 9 in girls and boys 9 through 15 years of age and
women 16 through 26 years of age. Study 3 evaluated immunogenicity of GARDASIL 9 compared with
GARDASIL in girls 9 through 15 years of age. Study 4 evaluated administration of GARDASIL 9 to girls
and women 12 through 26 years of age previously vaccinated with GARDASIL. Study 5 evaluated
GARDASIL 9 concomitantly administered with Menactra and Adacel in girls and boys 11 through 15 years
of age. Together, these five clinical trials evaluated 12,233 individuals who received GARDASIL 9 (8,048
girls and women 16 through 26 years of age at enrollment with a mean age of 21.8 years; 2,927 girls 9
through 15 years of age at enrollment with a mean age of 11.9 years; and 1,258 boys 9 through 15 years
of age at enrollment with a mean age of 11.9 years. Study 7 evaluated immunogenicity of GARDASIL 9 in
boys and men, including 1,106 self-identified as heterosexual men (HM) and 313 self-identified as men
having sex with men (MSM), 16 through 26 years of age at enrollment (mean ages 20.8 years and 22.2
years, respectively) and 1,101 girls and women 16 through 26 years of age at enrollment (mean age 21.3
years).
The race distribution of the 16- through 26-year-old girls and women in the clinical trials was as
follows: 56.8% White; 25.2% Other; 14.1% Asian; and 3.9% Black. The race distribution of the 9- through
15-year-old girls in the clinical trials was as follows: 60.3% White; 19.3% Other; 13.5% Asian; and 7.0%
Black. The race distribution of the 9- through 15-year-old boys in the clinical trials was as follows: 46.6%
White; 34.3% Other; 13.3% Asian; and 5.9% Black. The race distribution of the 16- through 26-year-old
boys and men in the clinical trials was as follows: 62.1% White; 22.6% Other; 9.8% Asian; and 5.5%
Black.
One clinical trial (Study 8) assessed the 2-dose regimen of GARDASIL 9. Study 8 evaluated the
immunogenicity of 2 doses of GARDASIL 9 in girls and boys 9 through 14 years of age and 3 doses of
GARDASIL 9 in girls 9 through 14 years of age and women 16 through 26 years of age; (N=1,518; 753
girls; 451 boys and 314 women). The mean age for the girls and boys 9 through 14 years of age was 11.5
years; the mean age for girls and women 16 through 26 years of age was 21.0 years. In Study 8, the race
distribution was as follows: 61.1% White; 16.3% Asian; 13.3% Other; and 8.9% Black.
Efficacy – HPV Types 31, 33, 45, 52 And 58 In Girls And Women 16 Through 26 Years Of Age
Studies Supporting The Efficacy Of GARDASIL 9 Against HPV Types 31, 33, 45, 52, And 58
The efficacy of GARDASIL 9 in 16- through 26-year-old girls and women was assessed in an active
comparator-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trial (Study 1) that included a total of 14,204
women (GARDASIL 9 = 7,099; GARDASIL = 7,105) who were enrolled and vaccinated without prescreening
for the presence of HPV infection. Subjects were followed up with a median duration of 40
months (range 0 to 64 months) after the last vaccination.
The primary efficacy evaluation was conducted in the PPE population based on a composite clinical
endpoint of HPV 31-, 33-, 45-, 52-, and 58-related cervical cancer, vulvar cancer, vaginal cancer, CIN 2/3
or AIS, VIN 2/3, and VaIN 2/3. Efficacy was further evaluated with the clinical endpoints of HPV 31-, 33-,
45-, 52-, and 58-related CIN 1, vulvar and vaginal disease of any grade, and persistent infection. In
addition, the study also evaluated the impact of GARDASIL 9 on the rates of HPV 31-, 33-, 45-, 52-, and
58-related abnormal Papanicolaou (Pap) tests, cervical and external genital biopsy, and definitive therapy
[including loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) and conization]. Efficacy for all endpoints was
measured starting after the Month 7 visit.
GARDASIL 9 prevented HPV 31-, 33-, 45-, 52-, and 58-related persistent infection and disease and
also reduced the incidence of HPV 31-, 33-, 45-, 52-, and 58-related Pap test abnormalities, cervical and
external genital biopsy, and definitive therapy (Table 7).
Table 7: Analysis of Efficacy of GARDASIL 9 against HPV Types 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58 in the PPE* Population of 16- through 26-Year-old Girls and Women (Study 1)
Disease Endpoint |
GARDASIL 9
N†=7099 |
GARDASIL
N†=7105 |
GARDASIL 9
Efficacy % (95% CI) |
n‡ |
Number of
cases |
n‡ |
Number of
cases |
HPV 31-, 33-, 45-, 52-, 58-related CIN 2/3, AIS, Cervical
Cancer, VIN 2/3, VaIN 2/3, Vulvar Cancer, and Vaginal
Cancer |
6016 |
1 |
6017 |
30 |
96.7
(80.9, 99.8) |
HPV 31-, 33-, 45-, 52-, 58-related CIN 1 |
5948 |
1 |
5943 |
69 |
98.6
(92.4, 99.9) |
HPV 31-, 33-, 45-, 52-, 58-related CIN 2/3 or AIS |
5948 |
1 |
5943 |
27 |
96.3
(79.5, 99.8) |
HPV 31-, 33-, 45-, 52-, 58-related Vulvar or Vaginal Disease |
6009 |
1 |
6012 |
16 |
93.8
(61.5, 99.7) |
HPV 31-, 33-, 45-, 52-, 58-related Persistent Infection ≥6
Months§ |
5939 |
26 |
5953 |
642 |
96.2
(94.4, 97.5) |
HPV 31-, 33-, 45-, 52-, 58-related Persistent Infection ≥12
Months¶ |
5939 |
15 |
5953 |
375 |
96.1
(93.7, 97.9) |
HPV 31-, 33-, 45-, 52-, 58-related ASC-US HR-HPV Positive
or Worse Pap# Abnormality |
5881 |
35 |
5882 |
462 |
92.6
(89.7, 94.8) |
HPV 31-, 33-, 45-, 52-, 58-related Biopsy |
6016 |
7 |
6017 |
222 |
96.9
(93.6, 98.6) |
HPV 31-, 33-, 45-, 52-, 58-related Definitive TherapyÞ |
6012 |
4 |
6014 |
32 |
87.5
(65.7, 96.0) |
*The PPE population consisted of individuals who received all three vaccinations within one year of enrollment, did not have major
deviations from the study protocol, were naïve (PCR negative and seronegative) to the relevant HPV type(s) (Types 31, 33, 45, 52,
and 58) prior to dose 1, and who remained PCR negative to the relevant HPV type(s) through one month post-dose 3 (Month 7);
data from Study 1 (NCT00543543).
†N=Number of individuals randomized to the respective vaccination group who received at least one injection
‡n=Number of individuals contributing to the analysis
§Persistent infection detected in samples from two or more consecutive visits at least six months apart
¶Persistent infection detected in samples from two or more consecutive visits over 12 months or longer
#Papanicolaou test
ÞIncluding loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) and conization
CI=Confidence Interval
CIN=Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia, VIN=Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia, VaIN=Vaginal Intraepithelial Neoplasia,
AIS=Adenocarcinoma In Situ, ASC-US=Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance
HR=High Risk |
Immunogenicity Of A 3-Dose Regimen
The minimum anti-HPV titer that confers protective efficacy has not been determined.
Type-specific immunoassays (i.e., cLIA) with type-specific standards were used to assess
immunogenicity to each vaccine HPV type. These assays measured antibodies against neutralizing
epitopes for each HPV type. The scales for these assays are unique to each HPV type; thus,
comparisons across types and to other assays are not appropriate. Immunogenicity was measured by (1)
the percentage of individuals who were seropositive for antibodies against the relevant vaccine HPV type,
and (2) the Geometric Mean Titer (GMT).
Studies Supporting The Effectiveness Of GARDASIL 9 Against HPV Types 6, 11, 16, And 18
Effectiveness of GARDASIL 9 against persistent infection and disease related to HPV Types 6, 11, 16,
or 18 was inferred from non-inferiority comparisons in Study 1 (16- through 26-year-old girls and women)
and Study 3 (9- through 15-year-old girls) of GMTs following vaccination with GARDASIL 9 with those
following vaccination with GARDASIL. A low number of efficacy endpoint cases related to HPV types 6,
11, 16 and 18 in both vaccination groups precluded a meaningful assessment of efficacy using disease
endpoints associated with these HPV types. The primary analyses were conducted in the per-protocol
population, which included subjects who received all three vaccinations within one year of enrollment, did
not have major deviations from the study protocol, and were HPV-naïve. HPV-naïve individuals were
defined as seronegative to the relevant HPV type(s) prior to dose 1 and among female subjects 16
through 26 years of age in Study 1 PCR negative to the relevant HPV type(s) in cervicovaginal specimens
prior to dose 1 through Month 7.
Anti-HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18 GMTs at Month 7 for GARDASIL 9 among girls 9 through 15 years of age
and young women 16 through 26 years of age were non-inferior to those among the corresponding
populations for GARDASIL (Table 8). At least 99.7% of individuals included in the analyses for each HPV
type became seropositive by Month 7.
Table 8: Comparison of Immune Responses (Based on cLIA) Between GARDASIL 9 and GARDASIL for HPV Types 6,
11, 16, and 18 in the PPI* Population of 9- through 26-Year-Old Girls and Women (Studies 1 and 3)
Population |
GARDASIL 9 |
GARDASIL |
GARDASIL 9/
GARDASIL |
N†
(n‡) |
GMT
mMU§/mL |
N†
(n‡) |
GMT
mMU§/mL |
GMT
Ratio |
(95% CI)¶ |
Anti-HPV 6 |
9- through 15-year-old
girls |
300
(273) |
679.4 |
300
(261) |
1565.9 |
1.07 |
(0.93, 1.23) |
16- through 26-year-old
girls and women |
6792
(3993) |
893.1 |
6795
(3975) |
875.2 |
1.02 |
(0.99, 1.06) |
Anti-HPV 11 |
9- through 15-year-old
girls |
300
(273) |
1315.6 |
300
(261) |
1417.3 |
0.93 |
(0.80, 1.08) |
16- through 26-year-old
girls and women |
6792
(3995) |
666.3 |
6795
(3982) |
830.0 |
0.80 |
0.80 (0.77, 0.83) |
Anti-HPV 16 |
9- through 15-year-old
girls |
300
(276) |
6739.5 |
300
(270) |
6887.4 |
0.97 |
(0.85, 1.11) |
16- through 26-year-old
girls and women |
6792
(4032) |
3131.1 |
6795
(4062) |
3156.6 |
0.99 |
(0.96, 1.03) |
Anti-HPV 18 |
9- through 15-year-old
girls |
300
(276) |
1956.6 |
300
(269) |
1795.6 |
1.08 |
(0.91, 1.29) |
16- through 26-year-old
girls and women |
6792
(4539) |
804.6 |
6795
(4541) |
678.7 |
1.19 |
(1.14, 1.23) |
*The PPI population consisted of individuals who received all three vaccinations within pre-defined day ranges, did not have major deviations from the study protocol, met predefined criteria for the interval between the Month 6 and Month 7 visit, were naïve (PCR negative [among 16- through 26-year old girls and women] and seronegative) to the relevant HPV type(s) (types 6, 11, 16, and 18)prior to dose 1, and among 16- through 26-year-old girls and women remained PCR negative to the relevant HPV type(s) through one month post-dose 3 (Month 7). The data for 16- through 26-year-old girls and women are from Study 1 (NCT00543543), and the data for 9- through 15-year-old girls are from Study 3 (NCT01304498).
†N=Number of individuals randomized to the respective vaccination group who received at least one injection
‡n=Number of individuals contributing to the analysis
§mMU=milli-Merck Units
¶Demonstration of non-inferiority required that the lower bound of the 95% CI of the GMT ratio be greater than 0.67
CI=Confidence Interval
GMT=Geometric Mean Titer
cLIA=competitive Luminex Immunoassay |
Study Supporting The Effectiveness Of GARDASIL 9 Against Vaccine HPV Types In 9- Through 15-Year-
Old Girls And Boys
Effectiveness of GARDASIL 9 against persistent infection and disease related to vaccine HPV types in
9- through 15-year-old girls and boys was inferred from non-inferiority comparison conducted in the PPI
population in Study 2 of GMTs following vaccination with GARDASIL 9 among 9- through 15-year-old girls
and boys with those among 16- through 26-year-old girls and women. Anti-HPV GMTs at Month 7 among
9- through 15-year-old girls and boys were non-inferior to anti-HPV GMTs among 16- through 26-year-old
girls and women (Table 9).
Table 9: Comparison of Immune Responses (Based on cLIA) between the PPI* Populations of 16- through 26-Year-Old Girls and Women, 9- through 15-Year-Old Girls, and 9- through 15-Year-Old Boys for All GARDASIL 9 Vaccine HPV Types
Population |
N† |
n‡ |
GMT
mMU§/mL |
GMT Ratio relative to 16-
through 26-year-old girls and
women
(95% CI)¶ |
Anti-HPV 6 |
9- through 15-year-old girls |
630 |
503 |
1703.1 |
1.89 (1.68, 2.12) |
9- through 15-year-old boys |
641 |
537 |
2083.4 |
2.31 (2.06, 2.60) |
16- through 26-year-old girls
and women |
463 |
328 |
900.8 |
1 |
Anti-HPV 11 |
9- through 15-year-old girls |
630 |
503 |
1291.5 |
1.83 (1.63, 2.05) |
9- through 15-year-old boys |
641 |
537 |
1486.3 |
2.10 (1.88, 2.36) |
16- through 26-year-old girls
and women |
463 |
332 |
706.6 |
1 |
Anti-HPV 16 |
9- through 15-year-old girls |
630 |
513 |
6933.9 |
1.97 (1.75, 2.21) |
9- through 15-year-old boys |
641 |
546 |
8683.0 |
2.46 (2.20, 2.76) |
16- through 26-year-old girls
and women |
463 |
329 |
3522.6 |
1 |
Anti-HPV 18 |
9- through 15-year-old girls |
630 |
516 |
2148.3 |
2.43 (2.12, 2.79) |
9- through 15-year-old boys |
641 |
544 |
2855.4 |
3.23 (2.83, 3.70) |
16- through 26-year-old girls
and women |
463 |
345 |
882.7 |
1 |
Anti-HPV 31 |
9- through 15-year-old girls |
630 |
506 |
1894.7 |
2.51 (2.21, 2.86) |
9- through 15-year-old boys |
641 |
543 |
2255.3 |
2.99 (2.63, 3.40) |
16- through 26-year-old girls
and women |
463 |
340 |
753.9 |
1 |
Anti-HPV 33 |
9- through 15-year-old girls |
630 |
518 |
985.8 |
2.11 (1.88, 2.37) |
9- through 15-year-old boys |
641 |
544 |
1207.4 |
2.59 (2.31, 2.90) |
16- through 26-year-old girls
and women |
463 |
354 |
466.8 |
1 |
Anti-HPV 45 |
9- through 15-year-old girls |
630 |
518 |
707.7 |
2.60 (2.25, 3.00) |
9- through 15-year-old boys |
641 |
547 |
912.1 |
3.35 (2.90, 3.87) |
16- through 26-year-old girls
and women |
463 |
368 |
272.2 |
1 |
Anti-HPV 52 |
9- through 15-year-old girls |
630 |
517 |
962.2 |
2.21 (1.96, 2.49) |
9- through 15-year-old boys |
641 |
545 |
1055.5 |
2.52 (2.22, 2.84) |
16- through 26-year-old girls
and women |
463 |
337 |
419.6 |
1 |
Anti-HPV 58 |
9- through 15-year-old girls |
630 |
516 |
1288.0 |
2.18 (1.94, 2.46) |
9- through 15-year-old boys |
641 |
544 |
1593.3 |
2.70 (2.40, 3.03) |
16- through 26-year-old girls
and women |
463 |
332 |
590.5 |
1 |
*The PPI population consisted of individuals who received all three vaccinations within pre-defined day ranges, did not have major deviations from the study protocol, met predefined criteria for the interval between the Month 6 and Month 7 visit, were naïve (PCR negative [among 16- through 26-year old girls and women] and seronegative) to the relevant HPV type(s) prior to dose 1 and among 16- through 26-year-old girls and women remained PCR negative to the relevant HPV types through one month post-dose 3 (Month 7). The data are from Study 2 (NCT00943722).
†N=Number of individuals randomized to the respective vaccination group who received at least one injection
‡n=Number of individuals contributing to the analysis
§mMU=milli-Merck Units
¶Demonstration of non-inferiority required that the lower bound of the 95% CI of the GMT ratio be greater than 0.67
cLIA=competitive Luminex Immunoassay
CI=Confidence Interval
GMT=Geometric Mean Titer |
Study Supporting The Effectiveness Of GARDASIL 9 Against Vaccine HPV Types In 16- Through 26-Year-
Old Boys And Men
Effectiveness of GARDASIL 9 against persistent infection and disease related to vaccine HPV types in
16- through 26-year-old boys and men was inferred from non-inferiority comparison conducted in the PPI
population in Study 7 of GMTs following vaccination with GARDASIL 9 among 16- through 26-year-old
HM with those among 16- through 26-year-old girls and women. Anti-HPV GMTs at Month 7 among 16-
through 26-year-old HM were non-inferior to anti-HPV GMTs among 16- through 26-year-old girls and
women (Table 10). Study 7 also enrolled 313 16- through 26-year-old HIV-negative MSM. At Month 7,
anti-HPV GMT ratios for MSM relative to HM ranged from 0.6 to 0.8, depending on HPV type. The GMT
ratios for MSM relative to HM were generally similar to those previously observed in clinical trials with
GARDASIL.
Table 10: Comparison of Immune Responses (Based on cLIA) between the PPI* Populations of 16- through 26-Year-Old Girls and Women and 16- through 26-Year-Old Boys and Men Self-Identified as Heterosexual (HM) for All GARDASIL 9
Population |
N† |
n‡ |
GMT
mMU§/mL |
GMT Ratio relative to
16- through 26-yearold
girls and women
(95% CI)¶ |
Anti-HPV 6 |
16- through 26-year-old HM |
1103 |
847 |
782.0 |
1.11 (1.02, 1.21) |
16- through 26-year-old girls and women |
1099 |
708 |
703.9 |
1 |
Anti-HPV 11 |
16- through 26-year-old HM |
1103 |
851 |
616.7 |
1.09 (1.00, 1.19) |
16- through 26-year-old girls and women |
1099 |
712 |
564.9 |
1 |
Anti-HPV 16 |
16- through 26-year-old HM |
1103 |
899 |
3346.0 |
1.20 (1.10, 1.30) |
16- through 26-year-old girls and women |
1099 |
781 |
2788.3 |
1 |
Anti-HPV 18 |
16- through 26-year-old HM |
1103 |
906 |
808.2 |
1.19 (1.08, 1.31) |
16- through 26-year-old girls and women |
1099 |
831 |
679.8 |
1 |
Anti-HPV 31 |
16- through 26-year-old HM |
1103 |
908 |
708.5 |
1.24 (1.13, 1.37) |
16- through 26-year-old girls and women |
1099 |
826 |
570.1 |
1 |
Anti-HPV 33 |
16- through 26-year-old HM |
1103 |
901 |
384.8 |
1.19 (1.10, 1.30) |
16- through 26-year-old girls and women |
1099 |
853 |
322.0 |
1 |
Anti-HPV 45 |
16- through 26-year-old HM |
1103 |
909 |
235.6 |
1.27 (1.14, 1.41) |
16- through 26-year-old girls and women |
1099 |
871 |
185.7 |
1 |
Anti-HPV 52 |
16- through 26-year-old HM |
1103 |
907 |
386.8 |
1.15 (1.05, 1.26) |
16- through 26-year-old girls and women |
1099 |
849 |
335.2 |
1 |
Anti-HPV 58 |
16- through 26-year-old HM |
1103 |
897 |
509.8 |
1.25 (1.14, 1.36) |
16- through 26-year-old girls and women |
1099 |
839 |
409.3 |
1 |
*The PPI population consisted of individuals who received all three vaccinations within pre-defined day ranges, did not have major deviations from the study protocol, met predefined criteria for the interval between the Month 6 and Month 7 visit, and were seronegative to the relevant HPV type(s) (types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58) prior to dose 1. The data are from Study 7(NCT01651949).
†Number of individuals randomized to the respective vaccination group who received at least one injection
‡Number of individuals contributing to the analysis
§mMU=milli-Merck Units
¶Demonstration of non-inferiority required that the lower bound of the 95% CI of the GMT ratio be greater than 0.67
cLIA=competitive Luminex Immunoassay
CI=Confidence Interval
GMT=Geometric Mean Titer |
Immune Response To GARDASIL 9 Across All Clinical Trials
Across all clinical trials, at least 99.5% of individuals included in the analyses for each of the nine
vaccine HPV types became seropositive by Month 7. Anti-HPV GMTs at Month 7 among 9- through 15-
year-old girls and boys and 16- through 26-year-old boys and men were comparable to anti-HPV
responses among 16- through 26-year-old girls and women in the combined database of immunogenicity
studies for GARDASIL 9.
Persistence Of Immune Response To GARDASIL 9
The duration of immunity following a 3-dose schedule of vaccination with GARDASIL 9 has not been
established. The peak anti-HPV GMTs for each vaccine HPV type occurred at Month 7. Proportions of
individuals who remained seropositive to each vaccine HPV type at Month 24 were similar to the
corresponding seropositive proportions at Month 7.
Administration Of GARDASIL 9 To Individuals Previously Vaccinated With GARDASIL
Study 4 evaluated the immunogenicity of GARDASIL 9 in 921 girls and women (12 through 26 years of
age) who had previously been vaccinated with GARDASIL. Prior to enrollment in the study, over 99% of
subjects had received three injections of GARDASIL within a one year period. The time interval between
the last injection of GARDASIL and the first injection of GARDASIL 9 ranged from approximately 12 to 36
months.
Seropositivity to HPV Types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58 in the per protocol population ranged
from 98.3 to 100% by Month 7 in individuals who received GARDASIL 9. The anti-HPV 31, 33, 45, 52 and
58 GMTs for the population previously vaccinated with GARDASIL were 25-63% of the GMTs in the
combined populations from Studies 1, 2, 3, and 5, who had not previously received GARDASIL, although
the clinical relevance of these differences is unknown. Efficacy of GARDASIL 9 in preventing infection
and disease related to HPV Types 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58 in individuals previously vaccinated with
GARDASIL has not been assessed.
Concomitant Use Of Hormonal Contracptives
Among 7,269 female recipients of GARDASIL 9 (16 through 26 years of age), 60.2% used hormonal
contraceptives during the vaccination period of clinical studies 1 and 2. Use of hormonal contraceptives
did not appear to affect the type specific immune responses to GARDASIL 9.
Immune Responses To GARDASIL 9 Using A 2-Dose Regimen In Individuals 9 Through 14
Years Of Age
Effectiveness of GARDASIL 9 against persistent infection and disease related to vaccine HPV types in
9- through 14-year-old girls and boys who received a 2-dose regimen was inferred from non-inferiority
comparison conducted in the PPI population in Study 8 of GMTs following vaccination with GARDASIL 9
among 9- through 14-year-old girls and boys who received a 2-dose regimen (at 0, 6 months or 0, 12
months) with those among 16- through 26-year-old girls and women who received a 3-dose regimen (at
0, 2, 6 months). Anti-HPV GMTs at one month after the last dose among 9- through 14-year-old girls and
boys who received 2 doses of GARDASIL 9 were non-inferior to anti-HPV GMTs among 16- through 26-
year-old girls and women who received 3 doses of GARDASIL 9 (Table 11).
One month following the last dose of the assigned regimen, between 97.9% and 100% of subjects
across all groups became seropositive for antibodies against the 9 vaccine HPV types (Table 11).
In the same study, in girls and boys 9 through 14 years old, GMTs at one month after the last vaccine
dose were numerically lower for some vaccine types after a 2-dose schedule than in girls 9 through 14
years old after a 3-dose schedule (HPV types 18, 31, 45, and 52 after 0, 6 months and HPV type 45 after
0, 12 months; Table 11). The clinical relevance of these findings is unknown.
Duration of immunity of a 2-dose schedule of GARDASIL 9 has not been established.
Table 11: Summary of Anti-HPV cLIA Geometric Mean Titers in the PPI* Population at One Month After the Last Vaccine Dose Among Subjects Who Received 2 Doses† or 3 Doses† of GARDASIL 9 (Study 8)
Population (Regimen) |
N |
n |
GMT
mMU‡/mL |
GMT Ratio relative to 3-
dose regimen in 16-
through 26-year-old girls
and women
(95% CI) |
Anti-HPV 6 |
9- to 14-year-old girls (0, 6)† |
301 |
258 |
1657.9 |
2.15 (1.83, 2.53)§ |
9- to 14-year-old boys (0, 6)† |
301 |
263 |
1557.4 |
2.02 (1.73, 2.36)§ |
9- to 14-year-old girls and boys (0, 12)† |
300 |
257 |
2678.8 |
3.47 (2.93, 4.11)§ |
9- to 14-year-old girls (0, 2, 6)† |
300 |
254 |
1496.1 |
1.94 (1.65, 2.29)¶ |
16- to 26-year-old women (0, 2, 6)† |
314 |
238 |
770.9 |
1 |
Anti-HPV 11 |
9- to 14-year-old girls (0, 6)† |
301 |
258 |
1388.9 |
2.39 (2.03, 2.82)§ |
9- to 14-year-old boys (0, 6)† |
301 |
264 |
1423.9 |
2.45 (2.09, 2.88)§ |
9- to 14-year-old girls and boys (0, 12)† |
300 |
257 |
2941.8 |
5.07 (4.32, 5.94)§ |
9- to 14-year-old girls (0, 2, 6)† |
300 |
254 |
1306.3 |
2.25 (1.90, 2.66)¶ |
16- to 26-year-old women (0, 2, 6)† |
314 |
238 |
580.5 |
1 |
Anti-HPV 16 |
9- to 14-year-old girls (0, 6)† |
301 |
272 |
8004.9 |
2.54 (2.14, 3.00)§ |
9- to 14-year-old boys (0, 6)† |
301 |
273 |
8474.8 |
2.69 (2.29, 3.15)§ |
9- to 14-year-old girls and boys (0, 12)† |
300 |
264 |
14329.3 |
4.54 (3.84, 5.37)§ |
9- to 14-year-old girls (0, 2, 6)† |
300 |
269 |
6996.0 |
2.22 (1.89, 2.61)¶ |
16- to 26-year-old women (0, 2, 6)† |
314 |
249 |
3154.0 |
1 |
Anti-HPV 18 |
9- to 14-year-old girls (0, 6)† |
301 |
272 |
1872.8 |
2.46 (2.05, 2.96)§ |
9- to 14-year-old boys (0, 6)† |
301 |
272 |
1860.9 |
2.44 (2.04, 2.92)§ |
9- to 14-year-old girls and boys (0, 12)† |
300 |
266 |
2810.4 |
3.69 (3.06, 4.45)§ |
9- to 14-year-old girls (0, 2, 6)† |
300 |
270 |
2049.3 |
2.69 (2.24, 3.24)¶ |
16- to 26-year-old women (0, 2, 6)† |
314 |
267 |
761.5 |
1 |
Anti-HPV 31 |
9- to 14-year-old girls (0, 6)† |
301 |
272 |
1436.3 |
2.51 (2.10, 3.00)§ |
9- to 14-year-old boys (0, 6)† |
301 |
271 |
1498.2 |
2.62 (2.20, 3.12)§ |
9- to 14-year-old girls and boys (0, 12)† |
300 |
268 |
2117.5 |
3.70 (3.08, 4.45)§ |
9- to 14-year-old girls (0, 2, 6)† |
300 |
271 |
1748.3 |
3.06 (2.54, 3.67)¶ |
16- to 26-year-old women (0, 2, 6)† |
314 |
264 |
572.1 |
1 |
Anti-HPV 33 |
9- to 14-year-old girls (0, 6)† |
301 |
273 |
1030.0 |
2.96 (2.50, 3.50)§ |
9- to 14-year-old boys (0, 6)† |
301 |
271 |
1040.0 |
2.99 (2.55, 3.50)§ |
9- to 14-year-old girls and boys (0, 12)† |
300 |
269 |
2197.5 |
6.31 (5.36, 7.43)§ |
9- to 14-year-old girls (0, 2, 6)† |
300 |
275 |
796.4 |
2.29 (1.95, 2.68) ¶ |
16- to 26-year-old women (0, 2, 6)† |
314 |
279 |
348.1 |
1 |
Anti-HPV 45 |
9- to 14-year-old girls (0, 6)† |
301 |
274 |
357.6 |
1.67 (1.38, 2.03)§ |
9- to 14-year-old boys (0, 6)† |
301 |
273 |
352.3 |
1.65 (1.37, 1.99)§ |
9- to 14-year-old girls and boys (0, 12)† |
300 |
268 |
417.7 |
1.96 (1.61, 2.37)§ |
9- to 14-year-old girls (0, 2, 6)† |
300 |
275 |
661.7 |
3.10 (2.54, 3.77)¶ |
16- to 26-year-old women (0, 2, 6)† |
314 |
280 |
213.6 |
1 |
Anti-HPV 52 |
9- to 14-year-old girls (0, 6)† |
301 |
272 |
581.1 |
1.60 (1.36, 1.87)§ |
9- to 14-year-old boys (0, 6)† |
301 |
273 |
640.4 |
1.76 (1.51, 2.05)§ |
9- to 14-year-old girls and boys (0, 12)† |
300 |
268 |
1123.4 |
3.08 (2.64, 3.61)§ |
9- to 14-year-old girls (0, 2, 6)† |
300 |
275 |
909.9 |
2.50 (2.12, 2.95)¶ |
16- to 26-year-old women (0, 2, 6)† |
314 |
271 |
364.2 |
1 |
Anti-HPV 58 |
9- to 14-year-old girls (0, 6)† |
301 |
270 |
1251.2 |
2.55 (2.15, 3.01)§ |
9- to 14-year-old boys (0, 6)† |
301 |
270 |
1325.7 |
2.70 (2.30, 3.16)§ |
9- to 14-year-old girls and boys (0, 12)† |
300 |
265 |
2444.6 |
4.98 (4.23, 5.86)§ |
9- to 14-year-old girls (0, 2, 6)† |
300 |
273 |
1229.3 |
2.50 (2.11, 2.97)¶ |
16- to 26-year-old women (0, 2, 6)† |
314 |
261 |
491.1 |
1 |
*The PPI population consisted of individuals who received all assigned vaccinations within pre-defined day ranges, did not have major deviations from the study protocol, met predefined criteria for the interval between the last vaccination dose and blood collection for immunogenicity assessment, and were seronegative to the relevant HPV type(s) (types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58) prior to dose 1.
†2-dose regimen (0, 6): vaccination at Day 1 and Month 6; 2-dose regimen (0, 12): vaccination at Day 1 and Month 12; 3-dose regimen (0, 2, 6): vaccination at Day 1, Month 2, and Month 6. The data are from Study 8 (NCT01984697).
‡mMU=milli-Merck Units
§Demonstration of non-inferiority required that the lower bound of the 95% CI of the GMT ratio be greater than 0.67
¶Exploratory analysis; criterion for non-inferiority was not pre-specified
N = Number of individuals randomized to the respective vaccination group who received at least 1 injection
n = Number of individuals contributing to the analysis
CI=Confidence Interval
cLIA=competitive Luminex Immunoassay
GMT=Geometric Mean Titer |
Studies With Menactra And Adacel
In Study 5, the safety and immunogenicity of co-administration of GARDASIL 9 with Menactra
[Meningococcal (Groups A, C, Y and W-135) Polysaccharide Diphtheria Toxoid Conjugate Vaccine] and
Adacel [Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine Adsorbed (Tdap)]
(same visit, injections at separate sites) were evaluated in 1,237 boys and girls 11 through 15 years of
age at enrollment.
One group received GARDASIL 9 in one limb and both Menactra and Adacel, as separate injections,
in the opposite limb concomitantly on Day 1 (n = 619). The second group received the first dose of
GARDASIL 9 on Day 1 in one limb then Menactra and Adacel, as separate injections, at Month 1 in the
opposite limb (n = 618). Subjects in both vaccination groups received the second dose of GARDASIL 9 at
Month 2 and the third dose at Month 6. Immunogenicity was assessed for all vaccines one month post
vaccination (one dose for Menactra and Adacel and three doses for GARDASIL 9).
Assessments of post-vaccination immune responses included type-specific antibody GMTs for each of
the vaccine HPV types at four weeks following the last dose of GARDASIL 9; GMTs for anti-filamentous
hemagglutinin, anti-pertactin, and anti-fimbrial antibodies at four weeks following Adacel; percentage of
subjects with anti-tetanus toxin and anti-diphtheria toxin antibody concentrations ≥0.1 IU/mL at four weeks
following Adacel; and percentage of subjects with ≥4-fold rise fr om pre-vaccination baseline in antibody
titers against N. meningitidis serogroups A, C, Y, and W-135 at four weeks following Menactra. Based on
these measures, concomitant administration of GARDASIL 9 with Menactra and Adacel did not interfere
with the antibody responses to any of the vaccines when compared with non-concomitant administration
of GARDASIL 9 with Menactra and Adacel.