GSK and MSD display cervical cancer vaccine data

GlaxoSmithKline’s (GSK) human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine, Cervarix, could save more than 800 lives each year, it has been claimed.

The HPV virus types 16 and 18, which Cervarix is designed to protect against, are known to be a direct cause of cervical cancer.

GSK claims that if every 12-year-old girl in the UK were vaccinated against the HPV virus, cervical cancer deaths could be reduced by 76 per cent. And although the researchers concede that 100 per cent coverage is unlikely to happen, 80 per cent coverage could reduce cervical cancer deaths by 61 per cent.

The new data comes as Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) released new results concerning its own cervical cancer vaccine, Gardasil, which is marketed in the UK by Sanofi-Aventis MSD.

Scientists found that as well as protecting against HPV types 16 and 18, types 31 and 45 are also affected by the vaccine, which account for a further eight to nine per cent of cases.

Margaret Stanley, professor of epithelial biology at the University of Cambridge, is quoted by the Times as saying: “These data are very exciting as they show that Gardasil may potentially provide some protection against additional cancer-causing human papillomavirus strains to those specifically targeted by the vaccine.”

“This means there is the potential that it could protect against strains which are responsible for approximately 85 per cent of cervical cancers,” she added.

Both Ceravix and Gardasil will compete with one another in the new cervical cancer vaccine market. Gardasil is slightly ahead of Cervarix in terms of its current stage of development.

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