Glaxo’s
cervical cancer vaccine may be effective for middle-aged
women

GlaxoSmithKline's experimental cervical cancer vaccine Ceravix, designed to prevent infection with cancer-causing strains of the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus, has been shown to be effective in women up to age 55, The Wall Street Journal reports. Data from a Phase III clinical trial of the vaccine involving 666 women ages 26 to 55 showed it was 100% effective in producing antibodies to HPV types 16 and 18, which are responsible for about 70% of cervical cancer cases. Previous study data showed the vaccine is 100% effective in women ages 15 to 25.

Ceravix is one of two late-stage cervical cancer vaccines in development. Merck's Gardasil, which also focuses on cancer-causing strains of HPV, has been submitted to the Food and Drug Administration for review. An FDA advisory panel has already urged the full agency to approve Gardasil, and a decision is expected later this year. Glaxo officials say the company plans to submit Ceravix for FDA review by the end of the year. (The Advocate)