Dr. Pichichero, however, said that Cervarix contains a novel adjuvant that is believed to be responsible for its ability to generate a greater antibody response to HPV-16 and −18, compared with Gardasil. Higher antibody titers may translate into a longer duration of protection, he said.
Cervarix also has been shown, he said, to afford some level of cross-protection against other HPV strains that are responsible for a small yet significant proportion of cervical cancer cases. Although such differences should be weighed in the long term, right now it seems that parents are more concerned about safety and experience with the vaccines, and physicians should focus on this, he said.
Dr. Pichichero said he has served as a consultant to Merck and GlaxoSmithKline on their “National Advisory Boards for periodic 1-day consulting.” Dr. Block said he has done research for both companies and is on the speakers bureau for Gardasil. Dr. Gall said he was working on clinical trials and is a speaker for GlaxoSmithKline and Merck. The other physicians reported no disclosures.