The Telethon Institute for Child Health Research today announced the commencement of a new study, in collaboration with the Department of Health's WA Cervical Cancer Prevention Program, investigating a vaccine to prevent infection with the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). This virus has been identified as the central cause of cervical cancer.
"We believe this is a very important research trial, as preventing HPV infection may reduce cervical cancer and significantly improve the health of women worldwide," said Dr Rachel Skinner, Principal Study Investigator.
Each year 471,000 cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed worldwide and the disease is responsible for 200,000 deaths a year. In Australia, while routine Pap smear screening has reduced the incidence of cervical cancer by 75%, cervical cancer is still the second most common form of cancer in women worldwide. In Western Australia, the WA Cervical Cancer Prevention Program's Cervical Cytology Registry data indicates that 197,726 women were screened to prevent cervical cancer in 2003.
"Over 50% of sexually active people will become infected with HPV during their lifetime. Therefore a vaccine that reduces infection with HPV will reduce the burden of disease in women, as well as reducing cancer rates," said Dr Skinner.
Dr Peter Richmond, Head of the Vaccine Trials Group said, "We are very pleased to be a part of this major international assessment of the vaccine. There are currently no vaccines available for the prevention of cervical cancer. This vaccine is designed to protect against the main types of HPV and has already been successfully tested in hundreds of women worldwide. The vaccine has been well tolerated and this study will examine how well it prevents infection and stops cancer."
Dr Richmond said that it was an exciting development because this would be one of the first vaccines to prevent a common cause of cervical cancer. The WA Cervical Cancer Prevention Program's Manager, Ms Gillian Mangan, agrees stating, "Our Program supports this important research into reducing the incidence and mortality from cervical cancer. Each year in Western Australia approximately 90 women are diagnosed with invasive cancer and 30 women die from the disease. However, screening detects an even greater number of possible cases - about 750 in 2002 - at an earlier stage, before invasive cancer develops".
Young women who have been part of the program will be receiving information about the new vaccine study in the next few weeks.
The study, which is part of a major international pharmaceutical industry sponsored assessment of the vaccine, will be headed by Dr Rachel Skinner and Dr Peter Richmond of the Vaccine Trials Group.
The group is looking to recruit healthy young women between the ages of 17 and 25 years to participate in the trial.
Women interested in participating in the trial are asked to contact the trials centre on 9340 8542 or 9340 8430.