17 November 2004

 Writing in this week's issue of The Lancet, Dr. Diane Harper, of Norris Cotton Cancer Center at Dartmouth Medical School, said a new vaccine has the potential to greatly reduce deaths from cervical cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer mortality among women worldwide. The vaccine is targeted to immunize against two different types of high risk Human Papillomavirus, HPV-16 and HPV-18, that are behind an estimated 70 percent of cervical cancer cases. HPV is a commonly occurring infection, transmitted by skin to skin contact, usually through normal sexual interactions. Most cases of HPV resolve themselves through natural immunity but a percentage of cases will progress to cervical cancer. Over 250,000 women die from cervical cancer each year, most of them in the developing world. Of the 500,000 cases of cervical cancer diagnosed annually, 70 percent are attributed to infection from HPV-16 and 18.

The vaccine showed an extremely high rate of efficacy. In those women who completed the protocol - receiving all three shots and participating in all scheduled testing and follow-up - the vaccine was 100 percent effective against persistent HPV16/18 infections. Significantly, the efficacy was only slightly reduced for those women who did not fully comply with the protocol - receiving only one or two of the 3 shots or not completing all scheduled follow-up appointments. In that group, the vaccine proved 95 percent effective against persistent HPV infection and 93 percent against cytologic abnormalities associated with HPV 16/18, and complete protection from cervical tissue changes due to HPV16/18. Harper called the results of the study "extremely exciting and encouraging."

"We believe this shows enormous potential to eradicate the great majority of cervical cancers worldwide," she said. "Our trial results showed a high degree of safety, with no adverse effects to the participants, and highly significant and complete protection against persistent infection. This has enormous implications for women worldwide, and for our health system, which annually spends billions of dollars on cervical screening programs."

Recruitment for a larger, Phase III trial of the vaccine - the last step prior to licensing the drug for general use - is now underway. Women from throughout New England who meet the criteria and are interested can call Lisa Matthews at 603-653-3692 for more information