Clippings - Tuesday, April 1, 2008 22:05 - 0 Comments

Press Coverage: “We are currently researching a vaccine to cure cervical cancer”

Richard Schlegel : “We are currently researching a vaccine to cure cervical cancer”

Richard Schlegel, discoverer of the HPV vaccine, explains his new projects to CF

In the 80s he started his research into the virus in cows. In 1983 he discovered the virus in cervical cancer, and since then Richard Schlegel has been studying the possibility of finding a vaccine. In 1990 he moved to Georgetown University (United States) and two years later managed to mutate the virus, which opened the way for the development of the vaccine (the two vaccines marketed at present are based on his research).

Schlegel, who was in Madrid last week attending a Georgetown University conference, explained in an interview with CF that “in comparison with other virus-based vaccines, HPV has a 100 per cent prevention rate”. Moreover, he points out that “in the Third World this could have an incredible effect, as there is neither technology nor money for expensive examinations. 250,000 women die every year due to this cancer”. But he is aware that the greatest challenge of the vaccine is its becoming universal.

“The vaccine costs 120 dollars in the United States and needs three doses, and in some countries the price goes up to 180″, he adds. Schlegel assures there are studies which show that in order to obtain suitable margins in those countries, it should cost 1 or 2 dollars. For this reason, he is working with his team on a second and third generation of this vaccine.

In the second generation, in which the University of Colorado is collaborating, they have developed the vaccine cultivating it in bacteria, and therefore it would not need the cold chain and could withstand the extreme climate in Africa. Furthermore, its price would be much lower, between one and ten dollars per dose, “which would make it a more affordable option”. This research is being supported by the United States National Cancer Institute, and a company in India is currently testing it.

The third generation is being researched under the auspices of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and has as its objective “not only preventing but curing cervical cancer. It acts on proteins E6 and E7, which are always present in this type of cancer”.

Clinical trials

Regarding the vaccine which is on the market, Schlegel confirms that the vaccine should be given at an early age, because prevention is very important. However, its use is also recommended for women over 26 who have no stable partner.

He also admits that MSD is developing studies now to determine their efficacy on anal and penile cancer, results which will see the light this spring.

Moreover, it is researching the properties of the Chinese herb artemisinin, which is used against malaria, as it has proven effective against cervical cancer. Together with Novartis it is developing a gel or foam to such end. Its efficacy has already been proven in the laboratory and on animals, and clinical trials are now starting on humans.