Expanded age indication cleared for Gardasil 9 in males

FDA approved an expanded age indication for Human Papillomavirus 9-valent Vaccine, Recombinant (Gardasil 9, Merck) in males.

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Seven HPV types in Gardasil 9 (HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58) cause approximately 90% to 95% of HPV-related anal cancers, 90% of cervical cancers, and 80% of high-grade cervical lesions worldwide.These 7 types also cause the majority of HPV-related vulvar and vaginal cancers. Gardasil 9 includes the greatest number of HPV (Human Papillomavirus) types of any available HPV vaccine.

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Gardasil 9 was previously approved for use in girls and young women aged 9 to 26 years for the prevention of cervical, vulvar, vaginal, and anal cancers caused by HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58, precancerous or dysplastic lesions caused by HPV 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 22, 45, 52, and 58, and genital warts caused by HPV types 6 and 11. As for use in male patients, the vaccine was previously approved for use in boys aged 9 to 15 years for the prevention of anal cancer caused by HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58, precancerous or dysplastic lesions caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58.

With the newest approval, Gardasil 9 is now also indicated for use in males aged 16 to 26 years for the prevention of these diseases. According to the CDC, HPV vaccination rates are unacceptably low compared to rates for other adolescent vaccines, and vaccination coverage in males is especially low in males. The approval of the expanded age indication in male patients was based on results from a clinical trial program for Gardasil 9 that was designed to build upon the safety and efficacy established in clinical trials with Gardasil [Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent (types 6, 11, 16, and 18) Vaccine, Recombinant].  

“Any health plans that have not yet made a decision regarding coverage for Gardasil 9 for males 16-26 can do so now that that the vaccine is indicated in this population,” according to a company statement from Merck. “Most managed care plans have already made decisions to cover the cost of Gardasil 9, including for males 16 through 26 years of age, making the number of plans covering Gardasil 9 similar to the number covering the cost of Gardasil. The approval of Gardasil 9 for males 16 through 26 years of age is a milestone in the planned transition from Gardasil to Gardasil 9, as both products are now approved for the same populations.”

The most common adverse reactions associated with the use of Gardasil 9 in males aged 16 to 26 years included injection-site pain, swelling, and erythema. Not all vulvar, vaginal and anal cancers are caused by HPV; Gardasil 9 only protects against those cancers caused by HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58. Gardasil 9 is contraindicated in individuals with hypersensitivity, including severe allergic reactions to yeast, or after a previous dose of Gardasil 9 or Gardasil.