MSD: NEJM publishes new Gardasil trial data

Merck, Sharp and Dohme (MSD) has announced the publication of data from two phase III clinical trials of Gardasil (quadrivalent human papillomavirus [HPV] types six, 11, 16, 18 recombinant vaccine) in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).

Data from the first study showed administration with Gardasil resulted in 100 per cent protection in women against cervical, vaginal and vulvar conditions caused by types six, 11, 16, 18 of HPV.

The second study revealed that Gardasil provided 98 per cent protection against the contraction of advanced cervical pre-cancers caused by types 16 and 18 of the virus.

Kevin Ault, associate professor of the division of gynaecologic oncology at Emory University School of Medicine, said: “In these two studies, Gardasil demonstrated significant protection against serious HPV-related diseases, including high-grade cervical pre-cancers in women not previously exposed to the relevant HPV types targeted by the vaccine.”

He added that a combination of widespread screening together with vaccination of women aged between 11 and 26 with Gardasil could contribute to a reduction in HPV-related conditions including cervical cancer.

In October 2006, the launch of Gardasil in the UK was announced by Reuters, with this launch followed by a roll-out of the vaccine across the European Union.