Abstract

Persistent infection with oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV)-16 and -18 accounts for over 70% of all cases of cervical cancer. Vaccination against these HPV types has become a reality. This article discusses the latest data available for Cervarix (GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals), an AS04-adjuvanted HPV-16/18 vaccine, and considers immunological factors important in vaccine effectiveness. High and sustained HPV-16 and -18 antibody levels have now been observed together with 100% vaccine efficacy in preventing HPV-16/18-related persistent infections and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 and above, up to 6.4 years after first vaccination. Significant crossprotection against incident and persistent infection has been observed, notably against HPV-45, the third most prevalent HPV type in cervical cancer. An integrated safety summary of Phase II/III trials has shown that GlaxoSmithKline's HPV-16/18 AS04-adjuvanted vaccine is generally safe. Further studies will reveal the full duration and extent of the immune response and protection induced by Cervarix in broad populations and age ranges of women.