Cervarix Get Better Immuno Response Than Gardasil

12 May 09

The results of the first head-to-head trial of the two cervical cancer vaccines has shown Cervarix, used in the national vaccination campaign, elicits a better immune response in women than Gardasil.

The trial of 1,110 US women aged 18-45 found Cervarix induced the production of 2.7 times more memory B cells – a key measure of immune response – than Gardasil for HPV types 16 and 18. Tolerability and safety results were similar for the two vaccines.


Dr Anne Szarewski, clinical consultant at the Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine said: ‘This study offers evidence for the first time that the two HPV vaccines do not generate the same level of response against the two most common cancer causing virus types.’

The results were presented at the International Papillomavirus Conference in Malmö, Sweden.

Glaxo is set to present other data supporting Cervarix, including potential evidence that it offers some protection against additional HPV types, and that its immune-response levels last for at least 7.3 years after vaccination. Merck previously had data suggesting Gardasil could protect against additional HPV types but the FDA declined to incorporate this into the prescribing label.

Separately, Merck is presenting data showing an experimental precursor to Gardasil, a vaccine targeting just one HPV type, had sustained efficacy for an average of 8.5 years after vaccination. In another study, Gardasil reduced the number of abnormal Pap tests and subsequent procedures designed to ward off cervical cancer. Pap tests screen for cervical cancer.

More details here:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124178398935000581.html

http://www.ippf.org/en/News/Intl+news/Glaxo+Study+Cervarix+Immune+Response+Tops+Gardasils.htm
http://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=23&storycode=4122666&c=2