Health
New uses for HPV vaccine
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Oct. 6, 2008
On Sept. 12, the Food and Drug Administration added the prevention of vaginal and vulvar cancer caused by human papillomavirus types 16 and 18 to the approved uses of Gardasil. This addition covers the vaccine's use in girls and women ages 9 to 26.
The two HPV types cause 70% of cervical cancers and are known also to cause some vulvar and vaginal cancers, but the percentages aren't well defined, the agency said. The FDA originally approved Gardasil in 2006 for the prevention of cervical cancer caused by HPV types 16 and 18; precancerous genital lesions caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18; and genital warts caused by HPV types 6 and 11.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2008/10/06/hlbf1006.htm.
