Vaccine for genital warts proves safe in human trials

A clinical trial for treating the papilloma viruses responsible for genital warts has been proven safe in human trials, and the vaccine might be available in drug stores soon.

Washington, May 10 : A clinical trial for treating the papilloma viruses responsible for genital warts has been proven safe in human trials, and the vaccine might be available in drug stores soon.

According to Australian of the Year 2006 Professor Ian Frazer and trial manager, sexual health specialist Dr David Jardine, more than 200 patients in China and Australia have taken part in the trial so far run from the Princess Alexandra (PA) Hospital.

"The new treatment has so far proven safe, and we want to know if it improves the outcome after conventional therapy, which all patients also receive," Dr Jardine said.

Trial researchers aim to use a squeezed version of Professor Frazer's cervical cancer vaccine to treat genital warts.

Professor Frazer said this vaccine could be one of the first made locally at the biopharmaceutical production centre.

The centre, called the Translational Research Institute, is planned to be a one-stop shop at the PA Hospital for medical research and health care, catering for medical discoveries, clinical trials and drug manufacture.

"Conducting trials in Australia gives Australians the chance to help develop new treatments. Should the product under trial be effective, it also gives them the chance to be amongst the first to benefit," Professor Frazer said.

A vaccine would balance both the pap smear program and currently available vaccines to thwart infections.

Genital warts are passed on by skin contact and the 2003 Australian Study of Sex and Relationships of 20,000 adults revealed four percent of people had had visible genital warts.

ANI