The Beijing Youth Daily reported that world's first cervical cancer vaccine will come out this year and is expected to put on sale in the market next year in China. Scientists from the China Cancer Foundation hope the vaccine may help women stay away from cervical cancer for a life time with only one injection.
Cervical cancer is the second most common malignant tumor among women. About 600 women die of this cancer everyday on average, mostly in developing countries where there is insufficient work both in early period of detection and later treatment. Scientists have found that human papilloma virus (HPV) is closely related with the risk of cervical cancer and in the United States, scientists have already developed preventive vaccine against HPV virus. The vaccine has gone through clinical trials for three stages and proves to be effective. This vaccine is expected to be launched into the U.S. market this year after obtaining approvals from the American Federation of Drug Administration.
The newly developed vaccine in China functions by inactivating the HPV virus strain and can prevent women from getting cervical cancer for a life time if ever they are injected with the vaccine for one time. At present, the China Cancer Foundation is joining hands with some research institutions to carry out a survey that aims to identify the main strains which affect Chinese cervical cancer patients. The survey is part of the preparatory work that helps the vaccine to enter the market next year. According to scientists, the most suitable groups of people that receive this vaccine are young female adolescents aged between 14-18, and female adults who have never been infected with HPV virus before.
(China News Service March 10, 2006)
