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University Awarded U.S. Patent for HPV Discovery

Robert Rose, Richard Reichman, and William Bonnez (Univ. of Rochester)

L-to-R: Robert Rose, Richard Reichman, and William Bonnez (Univ. of Rochester)

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has granted a patent to University of Rochester in New York for research conducted on the human papillomavirus virus (HPV). The research by Rochester virologists Robert Rose, Richard Reichman, and William Bonnez led to development of vaccines now used to prevent cervical and other cancers caused by HPV.

The Rochester team discovered virus-like particles that mimic HPV, but are otherwise harmless. Because of their similarity to real HPV, the particles can generate an immune response that prevents infection. The researchers also conducted the first tests of these properties on humans.

Genital HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection, and can also infect the mouth and throat. HPV is passed on through genital contact, most often during vaginal and anal sex. The virus can be passed on between straight and same-sex partners, even when the infected partner has no signs or symptoms. Cervical cancer is the cancer most commonly caused by HPV, but it can also cause cancers in the genital areas, anus, mouth, and throat.

The work by Rose, Reichman, and Bonnez covered by U.S. patent 8,062,642 focused on the specific HPV-16 strain, the most prevalent cancer-causing type of HPV. Another strain, HPV-18 is also frequently involved in cancers, and Rochester holds patents related to this type in Australia and Europe.

Two vaccines — Gardasil, made by Merck & Co., and Cervarix, made by GlaxoSmithKline — protect against both HPV 16 and HPV 18, as well as several other types.

Read more: Univ. Researchers Develop Dry Powder HPV Vaccine

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4 comments to University Awarded U.S. Patent for HPV Discovery

  • When you have Herpes (HSV-1, HSV-2), HPV (Human Papilloma Virus), HIV/AIDS, or any other STDs, it can make you feel like you are all alone in the world. Do you wish there was a place where you didn’t have to worry about being rejected or discriminated?
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  • norman cui

    I have HPV and I am an engineer who works for the largest STD dating and support site STDslove. com. I have to tell you a secret, you can choose not to believe me. But the truth is that this site has more than 1,880,000 members and about 80% members are good looking in my estimation.

    Unfortunately, STD rates soar worldwide and most people with STDs don’t even know that they have them. The government should grant more money for STD education to lower the rates of STD transmission.

  • […] Read more: University Awarded U.S. Patent for HPV Discovery […]

  • Herpes is one of the most misunderstood std’s out there. The simple truth
    is that 90% of the adult population has it but doesn’t realize it. If you ever
    get a fever blister you have herpes. The only difference between mouth herpes
    and the other kind is simply where it’s located. It’s the same virus, resting at
    the back of your brain untill something triggers it and you get an outbreak.
    There is no difference in oral herpes and the other kind, just the location, and
    there is no cure for herpes, though drugs such as Valtrax can stop an ourbreak
    once you get one. Odds are these wrestlers already had the virus and why the big
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    support site HerpesMate. Good luck to you all!