Glaxo says cervical cancer vaccine works for longer

LONDON, May 14 (Reuters) - GlaxoSmithKline said on Wednesday new data showed its Cervarix vaccine generated sustained, high levels of neutralising antibodies against the two most common cervical cancer-causing virus types for 6.4 years.

Glaxo (GSK.L: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Wednesday the data, from an extended follow-up study, showed the longest duration of sustained neutralising antibody levels reported against both virus types HPV 16 and 18 with a cervical cancer vaccine to date.

Experts believe that neutralising antibodies -- so-called because they have the ability to neutralise cancer-causing virus types and prevent them from infecting cells in the cervix -- are essential for cervical cancer protection. (Reporting by Mark Potter, Editing by Dan Lalor)