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November 14, 2004
EXTRA EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT! HPV VACCINE TO PREVENT CERVICAL CANCER!!!

As we all know, cervical cancer is most commonly caused by infection with the HPV viruses 16 and 18. While women routinely undergo the ever-so pleasant speculum exam to hopefullY catch any signs of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasis (CIN). The signs often go undetected since HPV 18 is very hard to detect with a routine pap and unfortunately this too is the more likely culprit when it comes to progression to Adenocarcinoma.

In the study, the investigators examined the incidence of cervical infections related to HPV-16/18 infection in 1,113 women (mean age, 20 years) randomized to receive three injections six months apart of bivalent HPV-16/18 VLP vaccine or placebo. A 27-month follow-up period included assessment of HPV infection by cervical cytology and self-obtained cervicovaginal samples.

Incident cervical infection was defined as having at least one positive polymerase chain reaction assay for HPV-16 or HPV-18 DNA during the trial. Persistent cervical infection was defined as at least two positive assays at least six months apart for the same viral genotype.

Results showed the vaccine to confer significant protection against HPV-16/18 infection: in women completing the study. The vaccine was 91.6% effective against incident infection (95% confidence interval [CI], 64.5 - 98.0) and 100% effective against persistent infection (95% CI, 47.0 - 100.0). The authors believe that success of this vaccination will be invaluable in reducing world-wide rates of cervical cancer but also agree that large scale trials and long-term follow ups are needed to confirm these preliminary findings. But stay-tuned we may be at the forefront of witnessing the end of an era and perhaps the beginning of a new, cervical cancer-free era!

Posted At : 7:18 PM. | Link | Rotation 2 04-05 | Comments (6)

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Comments

Sorry Furkan, if you scroll down a few entries you'll see that Robin beat you to the punch. She beat me too. They must get their news faster out in Nebraska.

Posted By Christopher Aquino / Posted At 11/14/04 7:28 PM

I wonder how much vaccine with cost and if insurance companies would be willing to pay for it.

Posted By Alicia Tucker / Posted At 11/14/04 10:31 PM

If insurance companies cover Paps, they should cover the vaccine as part of routine women's health. NO MORE ANNUAL PAP - sounds great to me.

Posted By Camele Alisa White / Posted At 11/15/04 8:33 PM

Does vaccine prevent other HPV 33 and up because 16 and 18 are not the only once. Good Find

Posted By Denis Knobel / Posted At 11/18/04 2:29 PM

Denis, I think the vaccine only covered types 16 & 18, b/c they're the most relevant in terms of cancer. It's a great step forward in women's health though. Good job.

Posted By Robin Holzer / Posted At 11/18/04 4:12 PM

i'll be curious to see long-term results in terms of prevention of cancer.

Posted By Rajanya Shah / Posted At 11/18/04 7:54 PM