HANOVER, N.H., Nov. 11 (UPI) -- An experimental vaccine has shown promise for protecting women from cervical cancer, U.S. scientists reported Thursday.
In a study involving more than 1,100 women, ages 15-25 years, those who received three doses of the vaccine were completely protected from infection by strains of human papillomavirus known to be associated with most cases of cervical cancer, scientists at Dartmouth University reported in The Lancet.
"Our findings indicate that the vaccine could contribute substantially to reducing worldwide rates of cervical cancer," Dr. Diane Harper of Dartmouth said in a statement. She noted additional, long-term studies are needed to confirm the vaccine prevents the cancer.
Two researchers from the University of Helsinki, Finland, wrote in an accompanying commentary that there still are many questions to be answered about how the vaccine should be administered and who should receive it. They added that licensure of the vaccine probably is not far off and that it "will probably be the first licensed vaccine against a common sexually transmitted infection."
