New Needle-Free HPV Vaccine Brings Hope to Developing World

A team of researchers developed a new, inhalable human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, that could prove very effective in developing countries, both in terms of cost and needle avoidance.

The dry powder was developed by lead researcher David McAdams and colleagues from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

The vaccine goes straight to the mucous membranes in the respiratory tract or in the mouth, and since HPV is a disease that affects the mucous membranes, the powder is most appropriate.

McAdams explained: “imagine the vaccine as a car; using this delivery method is similar to parking in your driveway instead of driving around the block a few times to find a spot.”

The dry powder is extremely beneficial for developing countries for several reasons: first of all, inhaling the vaccine eliminates the needle injection, therefor the risk of contamination.

Then, there is the fact that a solid powder is more stable and easier to store than a frozen liquid, and this will also allow an easier transportation to the developing countries.

“While there are effective HPV vaccines on the market, cost, refrigeration and needle disposal shorten the reach they have,” McAdams said.

“Our goal is to develop an economical, safe and easily administered HPV vaccine for everyone.”

HPV is the first cause of cervical cancer in the world, and cervical cancer is the second most common form of cancer in women.

Almost 250,000 women die every year from cervical cancer, 80 percent of them being in developing countries, according to data from the World Health Organization.

This research is being presented at the 2010 FIP Pharmaceutical Sciences World Congress in association with the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists Annual Meeting and Exposition.

It will be the world's largest pharmaceutical sciences meeting, working on improving global health trough advanced pharmaceutical science.

The organizers estimated that 10,000 scientists from over 60 countries will take part in 100 sessions, including 40 symposia and roundtables.