MSD cancer vaccine ’embraced by medical community’

Merck, Sharp and Dohme (MSD) has reported that its cancer vaccine Gardasil (quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) type six, 11, 16, 18 recombinant vaccine) has been embraced by the medical community since its launch.

The firm has released additional cross-protection data for the compound and is currently seeking regulatory approval for new indications for the vaccine to protect against vaginal and vulvar cancers.

MSD have submitted evidence to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) including data on protection against gynecological cancers, immune memory and evidence for some protection against further cervical cancer-causing forms of HPV.

Beverly J Lybrand, vice-president and general manager of the HPV franchise Gardasil at MSD Vaccines, said: “Gardasil has been strongly embraced by the medical community and by patients, and we are excited to submit these additional data.”

She added that the company was pleased to submit applications for expansion of the indications of the vaccine to include vaginal and vulvar cancers, with the firm anticipating further collaboration with the FDA regarding this data.

Last month, the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention recommended the use of Gardasil in 11 to 12-year-old females and women up to the age of 26 who have not yet been vaccinated against cervical cancer.