MSD reports publication of Gardasil data

Merck, Sharp and Dohme (MSD) has announced the publication of clinical trial data for its vaccine Gardasil (quadrivalent human papillomavirus [HPV] types six, 11, 16, 18 recombinant vaccine) in the Lancet.

The analysis presented in the journal showed the vaccine to be 100 per cent effective in the prevention of high grade vulvar and vaginal dysplasias caused by types 16 and 18 of HPV.

This study represents the analysis of a year of additional data since the approval of the compound by the US Food and Drug Administration.

Marc Steben, family physician at the HPV Scientific Group at the Institut National de Sante Publique du Quebec, said: “This combined analysis provides additional data showing that GARDASIL protected against HPV-16 and 18 related high-grade vulvar and vaginal lesions in women aged 16 to 26.”

He added that – while not the exclusive cause of vaginal and vulvar cancer – types 16 and 18 of HPV are the major contributing instigator for these conditions in younger women.

In September 2006, cancer information charity Cancerbackup welcomed the decision from the European Commission to approve Gardasil as a vaccine against cervical cancers and other conditions in women aged nine to 26.