Glaxo’s
HPV vaccine shown effective for more than four years

An ongoing study of GlaxoSmithKline's experimental human papillomavirus vaccine Ceravix, which aims to prevent infection with HPV strains linked to the development of cervical cancer, shows that the vaccine is effective against the virus for 4 1/2 years after vaccination, BBC News reports. The vaccine targets HPV strains 16 and 18, which are linked to about 70% of all cervical cancer cases. Previous studies have show the vaccine is 100% effective in blocking infection with those strains. Researchers say the vaccine also may prevent infection with HPV strains 31 and 45, which would make the shot effective against 80% of cervical cancer cases.

The ongoing study shows that women who took Ceravix maintained high levels of antibodies against HPV strains 16 and 18 for up to 4 1/2 years after being inoculated. Researchers say the study will continue to gauge how long protection against HPV lasts and if booster shots may be needed to provide optimum protection.

Glaxo has submitted Ceravix for European approval and expects to file for U.S. approval with the Food and Drug Administration in the second half of the year. The FDA in February granted priority review status to the vaccine. (The Advocate)