HPV Vaccine Found Effective
Reported April 8, 2005
(Ivanhoe Newswire) — A new vaccine for the human papillomavirus may one day put an end to most cases of cervical cancer and genital warts.
Researchers publishing in the current issue of The Lancet Oncology report a vaccine aimed at HPV types linked to 70 percent of cervical cancers and 90 percent of genital warts was 90-percent effective in reducing persistent infection and disease in a clinical study.
Up to 70 percent of women eventually become infected with HPV, which is linked to sexual activity. Women infected with the virus are significantly more likely to develop cervical cancer and genital warts. This is especially true in developing nations, where early testing for precancerous lesions (that can lead to cervical cancer if its not treated) is generally not available.
The vaccine was tested in about 550 young women ages 16 to 23 years. About half received the active vaccine, and the other half received a placebo vaccine. The shots were given initially, then again two months and six months later. All the women were followed for up to three years with standard gynecological exams to test for HPV.
In addition to being 90-percent effective against persistent infection with HPV, the vaccine was deemed 100-percent effective against both precancerous lesions that can lead to cervical cancer and genital warts. No serious side effects from the vaccine were noted in the study.
The authors believe universal administration of the vaccine to girls between the ages of 10 and 13 — before they become sexually active — could significantly reduce the burden of disease from these two conditions.
SOURCE: The Lancet Oncology, published online April 7, 2005