University of New Mexico begins cervical cancer vaccine trial

The University of New Mexico has begin recruiting 300 women to participate in a Phase III vaccine trial that aims to prevent infection with two strains of human papillomavirus linked to more than 70% of all cervical cancer cases, the Albuquerque Journal reports. The vaccine aims to prevent against infection by HPV16 and HPV 18 strains of the virus. Animal tests of a similar vaccine targeting only HPV16 showed it prevented 100% of HPV infections. The UNM vaccine trial site is one of several around the world that will test the vaccine among more than 10,000 women ages 15-25. Participants will receive three inoculations over a six-month period, and then be followed-up for signs of HPV in their blood or the presence of abnormal cells, which can be precancerous, in Pap tests. Cervical cancer is a common disease among HIV-positive women and is considered an AIDS-defining condition.