Studies show Cervarix (GlaxoSmithKline) protects against serious precursor to invasive Cervical Cancer

Two studies show the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Cervarix (papillomarvirus vaccine), from GlaxoSmithKline, offers excellent protection against the more serious immediate precursor to invasive Cervical Cancer (ICC), particularly when given to young adolescent girls before they become sexually active. They also show that the vaccine partially protects against four other cancer-causing HPV types not targeted by the formulation, that together with HPV16/18 cause about 85% of cervical cancer worldwide. One reports the final analysis (after 4 years of follow-up) of PATRICIA, the largest study of HPV16/18 vaccine efficacy to date. It examined the efficacy of the vaccine against high-grade cervical precancers (CIN3+), the early development of adenocarcinoma (AIS), and 12 other cancer-causing HPV types not targeted by the vaccine. In young women not already infected with HPV, the vaccine proved over 93% effective against CIN3+ and prevented 100% of AIS regardless of HPV type compared with nearly 46% efficacy against CIN3+ and 77% against AIS in the general population of women. Amongst the previously unexposed young women, the vaccine prevented 100% of HPV16/18-related CIN3+, compared with nearly 46% in the general population regardless of prior exposure to HPV. In a second study, the vaccine showed increased cross-protection against other cancer-causing HPV types 31, 33, 45, and 51 in different cohorts representing diverse groups of women. According to lead researcher Matti Lehtinen from the University of Tampere in Finland, appropriate effectiveness and implementation studies assessing the combination of vaccination and new screening strategies are warranted. See: >"Overall efficacy of HPV-16/18 AS04-adjuvanted vaccine against grade 3 or greater cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: 4-year end-of-study analysis of the randomised, double-blind PATRICIA trial" Matti Lehtinen et al, The Lancet Oncology, Published Online November 9, 2011, DOI:10.1016/S1470-2045(11)70286-8