While breast cancer kills more women each year than any other form of cancer, cervical cancer is another danger to women, and most cases are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus.
The highest occurrence of HPV infection is found in sexually active college-aged women, according to a study supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
But last week researchers announced promising results of a study on a vaccine that may prevent HPV. This vaccine may eventually help to eradicate the virus, as smallpox and diphtheria were wiped out decades ago.
“It was certainly a wonderful surprise when we got the preliminary analysis,” said Kevin Ault to the Washington Post. “This is very exciting news.”
Scientists who conducted the study observed 1,500 women ages 16 through 23. The women were injected with three shots during a period of six months. Half of the women received the vaccine, and the others received a placebo. It has been more than a year and a half since the last round of shots was administered.
In the women who received the vaccine, 41 cases of HPV-16 infection were found. Nine of those cases had dysplasia, the presence of precancerous cells. All the women who received the vaccine were given a clean bill of health.
Researchers also found the vaccine stimulated large amounts of protective antibodies in the women. These are the same antibodies found in people whose immune systems have cleared the body of HPV.
Approximately 20 million Americans are infected with the virus, and 5.5 million new cases occur each year, according to the Center for Disease Control. However, few cases of HPV evolve into cancer.
While there are more than 30 types of HPV infecting humans, the type blamed for cervical cancer is type 16, which is the one the experimental vaccine appears to combat.
Merck Research Laboratories of West Point, Pa., which developed the vaccine and financed the study, also is planning a worldwide test of a vaccine against two other HPV strains. Those viruses are HPV types 6 and 11, which cause more than 90 percent of genital warts.
According to the New York Times, Merck is researching a multi-virus vaccine it hopes will be given to girls and young women before they become sexually active as a preventive.