GSK HPV Vaccine Cervarix Effective For More Than Six Years, Company Says

Main Category: Cervical Cancer / HPV Vaccine
Article Date: 12 Mar 2008 - 7:00 PDT

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GlaxoSmithKline's human papillomavirus vaccine Cervarix provides significant protection against the four most common cancer-causing HPV strains for 6.4 years, according to data from a follow-up study, Reuters reports. The company presented the new data at the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists' annual meeting in Tampa, Fla. (Hirschler, Reuters, 3/10).

GSK reported that nearly all of the 776 women and girls ages 15 to 25 enrolled in the study had significant levels of antibodies against HPV strains 16 and 18 more than six years after receiving the vaccine. Cervarix was nearly 100% effective in preventing cancerous lesions caused by strains 16 and 18, according to the study. In addition, the vaccine was 78% effective in preventing infection of HPV strain 45 and 60% effective in preventing infection of HPV strain 31. The four HPV strains cause about 80% of cervical cancer cases. The company said that no significant health risks were connected with the vaccine.

Cervarix has been approved for sale in 55 countries, including nations in the European Union, the AP/CNNMoney.com reports (AP/CNNMoney.com, 3/10). The company said it plans to update FDA on Cervarix during the second quarter of 2008 (Reuters, 3/10). GSK added that it believes Cervarix will reach the U.S. market this year (AP/CNNMoney.com, 3/10).

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