Data from the first studies to directly compare two different adjuvanted formulations of GlaxoSmithKline's (GSK) candidate vaccine for the prevention of cervical cancer revealed that the immune response induced by the vaccine formulated with the proprietary AS04 adjuvant system was consistently stronger and more sustained, at every evaluated time-point, than that observed with the same vaccine formulated with conventional aluminium salt adjuvant. The results were maintained for at least 3.5 years post-vaccination.

These data published in Vaccine showed that GSK's cervical cancer candidate vaccine formulated with the AS04 adjuvant system not only induced higher and more sustained antibody levels against HPV 16 and HPV 18 but also a more robust immune memory response - specifically, in consistently higher observed numbers of HPV 16/18-specific memory B cells - compared to that observed after vaccination with the aluminium formulation. GSK's cervical cancer candidate vaccine is under study for protection against pre-cancerous lesions and cervical cancer caused by HPV 16 and HPV 18, and in previously published studies, the vaccine formulated with the AS04 adjuvant system has shown, in all vaccinated women, 100 per cent protection against pre-cancerous lesions caused by HPV 16 and/or 18 over a 4.5 year period.

"For a cervical cancer vaccine to be effective, it must induce a strong immune response and provide protection that lasts. These new data demonstrate a genuine immunological effect of the AS04 adjuvant system by contributing to a strong and sustained vaccine-induced immune response of high quality. Formulating our candidate vaccine with this proprietary adjuvant system further supports GSK's ambition to developing the best possible vaccine for the prevention of cervical cancer in women of all ages," commented Dr Philippe Monteyne, Head of Global Vaccine Development of GSK Biologicals.