LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY vanar_en_daeor)

If you recall, I said that I wanted to find information on vaccinating those outside of the recommended 9-26 age range of the Gardasil vaccine (made by Merck). Competitor GlaxoSmithKline is working on an HPV vaccine that may help those of us above 26 (I just turned 30 in May). It is worth keeping an eye on.

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Glaxo HPV vaccine shows promise for women 26-55
Mon Jun 5, 2006 10:18 AM ET

ATLANTA (Reuters) - An experimental cervical cancer vaccine made by GlaxoSmithKline Plc produced immune responses in all women ages 15 to 55 in a clinical study, the first evidence that a cervical cancer vaccine may work in women ages 26 and older, the company said on Monday.

The vaccine, called Cervarix, is designed to prevent infection with the human papilloma virus, or HPV, which causes most cervical cancer.

( Read more... )

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I also found another article that suggests that Cervarix's protection may last longer than Gardasil's.
( Read more... )
The comments by an FDA medical reviewer 'highlighted a couple of issues that are advantages for GSK`s vaccine and disadvantages for Merck`s product,' Malik said.

This includes that the 'immune response for Merck`s vaccine declines over time,' he said. 'The risk is you can have the emergence of the virus over time.' In particular, 'the antibody to HPV type 18 seems to be diminishing after 3 or 4 years,' which is important because this subtype together with 16 are the cause of the majority of cervical cancers, he said.

Cervarix, on the other hand, seems to offer longer lasting protection that may persist for 15 years.

'Cervarix`s immune response is very strong even five years out ... and Glaxo has said it has the potential to be a one-off jab over 15 years,' Malik said. If that holds true, 'there`s no way a competitor product that requires boosters could ever compete,' he said. Gardasil is administered in 3 shots over 6 months.

Still, both vaccines will rake in a few billion dollars in sales. 'But Glaxo sales will be much more momentum-based,' Malik said.
( Read more... )

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY vanar_en_daeor)

FDA Approves Cervical Cancer Vaccine

Experts hail immunization as breakthrough for women worldwide
By Amanda Gardner, HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, June 8 (HealthDay News) -- U.S. health officials approved on Thursday the first vaccine that protects against the human papillomavirus (HPV), known to cause most cervical cancers.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Merck & Co.'s Gardasil for girls and women ages 9 to 26. An FDA advisory panel had signed off on the vaccine in May.

( Read more... )