GlaxoSmithKline vaccine protects against cancer

A vaccine to prevent women from developing cervical cancer has demonstrated long-term effectiveness.

The GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) vaccine, Cervarix, proved effective at protecting against human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18 for over four years, according to research published in the Lancet.

Studies showed that antibodies were detected in 98 per cent of women four and a half years after they were vaccinated with Cervarix.

The same was true for protecting against the third and fourth most common types of HPV that cause cervical cancer, types 45 and 31.

“We developed this candidate vaccine for cervical cancer with the ambition to provide women with the best possible vaccination against cervical cancer,” said Dr Philippe Monteyne, head of Global Vaccine Development at GSK Biologicals.

“We are delighted with these results, as they demonstrate that our decision to formulate this vaccine with an innovative adjuvant to deliver high efficacy for a long duration of protection appears well founded.”

MSD is developing its own vaccine for cervical cancer prevention and filed for US and European marketing approval last year, the BBC reports.

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