Cervical cancer vaccine in early stages
Rating
Cervical cancer vaccine in early stages
Our Review Summary
In either case, we question the newsworthiness of a Phase I study in 18 women. At least the Philadelphia story had the local angle. Are we going to start reporting on all Phase i lab results with samples sizes this small?
Why This Matters
We usually think of vaccines to prevent diseases, not treat them. That’s the premise behind existing cervical cancer vaccines, which prevent infection with HPV strains known to cause cancer. It’s interesting to hear that a vaccine that might treat established HPV infection is under study. But the reader needs to understand that there are many steps between a preliminary laboratory result and a clinically useful vaccine.
Criteria
Not Satisfactory
Not applicable; too early in development process to discuss costs.
Not Satisfactory
The story didn’t quantify the benefits of the vaccine in the first clinical trial.
Not Satisfactory
The story states “The researchers did not observe any side effects.” But the Philadelphia Inquirer reported: “Most side effects of the vaccine were minimal and deemed unrelated to the treatment, the paper reported.”
Satisfactory
The story pointed out the study for which the paper was based was not a randomized clinical trial and the small sample size made it hard to draw any definite conclusions.
Satisfactory
The story did not appear to commit disease mongering.
Satisfactory
The story did provide a quote from an independent researcher who was not involved with the current research (and does not appear to be affiliated with the vaccine manufacturer).
Satisfactory
There was some discussion of alternative approaches – Gardasil and Cervarix.
Satisfactory
They did briefly discuss future clinical trials and did not try to estimate when a vaccine would be available.
Satisfactory
The story was clear that the novel part is development of a vaccine using DNA only.
Satisfactory
The story does not appear to rely on a press release.
Total Score: 7 of 10 Satisfactory
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