GlaxoSmithKline displays adjuvant that ‘makes vaccines more potent’

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has revealed that one of its vaccine adjuvant technologies for Cervarix, the cervical cancer vaccine, causes a “stronger and more sustained immune response” than conventional adjuvants.

Vaccine adjuvants are combined with vaccine components to induce the body’s immune system into producing a larger immune response to the vaccine components, making the vaccine more effective.

GSK’s new cervical vaccine candidate employs an adjuvant known as AS04. Recent studies published in Vaccine have demonstrated that AS04 produces a higher and more sustained response to the human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18, which are responsible for causing the majority of cervical cancer cases.

In addition, the new adjuvant was found to improve immune memory response. Dr Phillipe Monteyne, head of global vaccine development at GSK, remarked: “For a cervical cancer vaccine to be effective, it must induce a strong immune response and provide protection that lasts.

“These new data demonstrate a genuine immunological effect of the AS04 adjuvant system by contributing to a strong and sustained vaccine-induced immune response of high quality.”

Dr Monteyne concluded: “Formulating our candidate vaccine with this proprietary adjuvant system further supports GSK’s ambition to developing the best possible vaccine for the prevention of cervical cancer in women of all ages.”

Cervarix has been shown to be 100 per cent effective against HPV types 16 and 18 and will provide competition for Gardasil, the Merck Sharpe and Dohme cervical cancer vaccine.

Earlier this week, GSK expanded a deal with Antigenics for QS-21 Stimulon, a different vaccine adjuvant developed by Antigenics to be “significantly” more effective than conventional aluminium-based adjuvants.

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