Quadrivalent HPV vaccine may prevent cervical cancer

An investigational L1 virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV) is highly effective in preventing persistent HPV-16 infections and associated cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), according to a study presented at the 44th Interscience Conference of Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC) [Washington, DC, US; October-November 2004]. This multicentre study, which included > 2300 American women aged 16−23 years, investigated the efficacy of the vaccine in preventing HPV-16-related CIN 2−3; the long-term efficacy of the vaccine was also evaluated. After a median of 40 months following the completion of the vaccination regimen, the vaccine was associated with a significant reduction in persistent HPV-16 infections, compared with placebo, and was 100% effective in preventing HPV-related CIN 2−3. Furthermore, serum antibody levels remained high 3.5 years after the completion of the vaccination regimen.