High Risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the main cause of cervical cancer. In the UK, cervical cancer affects >3000 women annually. The current available vaccines, used in the school immunisation programme, prevent HPV infections but they do not clear existing HPV. HPV001 is a research study that tests an experimental vaccine for the treatment of High-Risk HPV in women that have low-grade HPV-related cervical cell changes, by boosting their immune system.
Current care is usually annual check-ups, or sometimes treatment to remove or destroy part of the cervix. It is hoped that this vaccine may be able to treat the infection and prevent cancer.
Our research team at Aberdeen Centre for Women’s Health Research joined the study at the beginning of December and completed recruitment to target before Christmas. It shows the great dedication of our staff to research. Well done team! Recruitment to the study is now closed in Grampian.
Professor Maggie Cruickshank, principal investigator in Aberdeen, told us ‘We are delighted at the interest from women in Grampian to join this vaccine trial and contribute to finding a new way to prevent cervical cancer’.