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Health news - New vaccine against cervical cancer virus14 October 2005 - written by Mark Pownall for Bupa's health information team A new vaccine appears to be completely effective against the two most common viruses that cause cervical cancer, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America.1 Manufacturers say that that the vaccine, Gardasil, could be available within a year. How was the study carried out?A total of 12,167 women, aged from 16 to 23, took part in the drug-company study. They came from 13 countries all over the world, including the UK. A group of 6082 women received the vaccine and another group of 6075 women received a placebo ("dummy") vaccine.1 What did the study show?None of the women who received the "real" vaccine developed early pre-cancer changes or cervical cancer in the two years after vaccination, while 21 of the women who received the placebo vaccine developed pre-cancerous changes and cancer.1 The new trial is the strongest evidence so far that a cervical cancer vaccine is effective. Did the vaccine cause any side effects?There seemed to be very few side-effects to the vaccine. The most common, shared by most vaccinations, was pain at the site of injection.1 What is cervical cancer?Cancer is a disease when cells inside the body are abnormal and multiply out of control. Cervical cancer affects the lower part of the uterus, which extends slightly into the top of the vagina.2 What are the early symptoms of cervical cancer?There may be no symptoms at all when the cancer is in its early stages. The most common early symptom is abnormal vaginal bleeding. In some cases, women may notice an unusual vaginal discharge or pain when having sex.2 How common is cervical cancer?Around 3000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year in the UK. It is the second most common type of cancer in women under the age of 35.3 What is the treatment for cervical cancer?An operation to remove the cervix and uterus is a common treatment. If the cancer is in the early stages, this may be all that is needed. Radiotherapy, which uses high beams of radiation to destroy cancer cells, may be an alternative to surgery. Chemotherapy may be given in addition to radiotherapy or surgery in certain situations.2 Why can a vaccine prevent cervical cancer?Cervical cancer is often caused by a virus known as human papillomavirus (HPV), which is spread by sexual contact. Experts think that around 70 percent of cases of cervical cancer are caused by infection with two types of the virus: HPV 16 and 18. The new vaccine works by building up the body's resistance to the virus before it comes into contact with it. Researchers believe that it will be most effective if given before the onset of puberty. It may be effective if given later, but this has not been fully evaluated. What is the human papillomavirus (HPV)?HPV is a common virus that comes in hundreds of varieties. Of these, at least 35 types infect the genital tract of both men and women, including in women the cervix (neck) of the uterus (womb).4 Up to 70 percent of women who are sexually active will be infected with HPV at some time. Does HPV always cause cervical cancer?No. Most women infected by HPV 16 and 18 do not go on to develop cancer. However, in some cases infection may lead to pre-cancerous changes. These may develop in to cancer, particularly if the woman remains untreated.5 Will women still have to have cervical smear tests?Yes. Women will require continuing screening for many years to come. Smear testing identifies up to 80 percent of all cervical changes at a stage early enough for effective treatment. Together, vaccination and smear tests should prevent the overwhelming majority of cervical cancers. How does a smear test work?About 4.4 million cervical smears tests are conducted each year in the UK.3 Smear tests can pick up abnormal cells in the cervix before they turn to cancer. HPV types 16 and 18 often cause changes to the cervix known as cervical dysplasia. This means that some of the cells are abnormal, but not cancerous. However, these abnormal cells may develop in to cancer in the future. Will this new vaccine work for all women?Probably, but it has not been proven yet. It may be need to be given at an early age before women become sexually active. The latest study was carried out in women aged 16-23 so further trials in other age groups need to be carried out to determine the vaccine's effectiveness in them. Also, it will not cover all types of cervical cancer-causing viruses. When will the vaccine be available?The vaccine could be available within a year. The manufacturers of Gardasil - Sanofi Pasteur MSD - are submitting an application for approval in both the USA and Europe. Are other cervical cancer vaccines in the pipeline?Yes, there is a similar vaccine from GlaxoSmithKline called Cervarix. Others are in development at the moment, including vaccines that may be used to treat (rather than prevent) cervical cancer. Bupa InformationFurther information
References
All pages were accessed on 10 October 2005
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