ProfNet Wire: Health & Medicine: Cervical Cancer Vaccine

Released: 5/25/2006 7:15 PM EDT
Source: ProfNet

ROUND-UPS

Cervical Cancer Vaccine (27 experts)
Routine HIV Testing (continued, 1 expert)
Bird Flu (continued, 1 expert)

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LEADS

1. Fitness: Avoid Workout Burnout and Maximize Results
2. Fitness: Use a Buddy System to Motivate Your Exercise Routine
3. Fitness: Patients Should Consult Before Beginning Exercise Program
4. Health: Preventing Infection Risk in Recent Tissue Harvesting Scandal

ROUND-UP: CERVICAL CANCER VACCINE

Following are experts who can discuss the FDA's pending approval of a cervical cancer vaccine. The vaccine, administered in three shots over six months at a cost of $300 to $500, protects against the two types of human papillomavirus (HPV) believed responsible for about 70 percent of cervical cancer cases:

**1. NEIL B ROSENSHEIN, M.D., director of the Gynecologic Oncology Center at MERCY MEDICAL CENTER: "Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer of the female tract, with an average of 10,000 new cases reported in the U.S. each year, a third of which will succumb to the disease. Cervical cancer claims lives at alarming rates in developing countries the world over. As a gynecologic surgeon, I know the best defense against cancer is to find ways to prevent it from occurring. This vaccine is another milestone in medicine's quest to stop cancer before it starts." Rosenshein: nrosenshein@mdmercy.com Phone: +1-410-332-9205 News Contact: Dan Collins, dcollins@mercymed.com Phone: +1-410-894-7452 (5/25/06)

**2. DR. KATHY J. HELZLSOUER, director of The Center for Prevention & Research at MERCY MEDICAL CENTER in Baltimore: "Cervical cancer is an avoidable cancer. Our mainstay has always been screenings like the annual Pap test. While this test and the improvements that have been made in recent years, such as ThinPrep, have helped, some women still fall through the cracks, meaning their cancer may not be properly diagnosed or identified in a timely manner. This new FDA- approved cervical cancer vaccine is indicative of medicine's trend to find ways of stopping cancer -- in this case, by preventing the infection that leads to cervical cancer -- before it starts." Helzlsouer: khelzlsouer@mdmercy.com Phone: +1-410-951-7951 News Contact: Dan Collins, dcollins@mercymed.com Phone: +1-410-894-7452 (5/25/06)

**3. SHARMILA MAKHIJA, M.D., assistant professor in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at the UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM, was a PI on the Merck FUTURE III study on women of ages 24 to 45 and a co- investigator on Merck's FUTURE II study on women of ages 16 to 23. She also is a co-investigator on GSK's HPV vaccine trials, which are expected to go up for FDA approval this fall: "If FDA-approved, the Merck vaccine would be the first vaccine that could prevent women from developing HPV infection, which is believed to be the cause of most cervical cancers. This could prevent hundreds of thousands of women from dying from cervical cancer." Makhija serves on editorial boards for the International Journal of Gynecological Cancer and Women's Oncology Review. Makhija: makhija@uab.edu Phone: +1-205- 934-4986 News Contact: Tracy Bischoff, tracy@uab.edu Phone: +1-205-934-8935 (5/25/06)

**4. DR. STANLEY GALL, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE: "Practically every gynecologist is very excited about this vaccine because it provides the opportunity to prevent a cancer -- this vaccine is the biggest thing in women's health care since the birth control pill. In looking at women of all ages, it is important that women receive the vaccine before becoming sexually active, but there are going to be a lot of women older than 11 or 12 who may be sexually active. These are individuals that really should receive the vaccine. If you have a cervix, you need the vaccine. That's a very, very simple message, but it really boils down to that." News Contact: Janice John, janice_john@nyc.cohnwolfe.com Phone: +1-212-798-9871 (5/25/06)

**5. RICHARD M. BOULAY, M.D. of LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPITAL and HEALTH NETWORK GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY EXPERTS: "This is the tip of the iceberg, not only in preventing cervical cancer, but also in eliminating abnormal Pap tests, the follow-up testing and anxiety associated with them. There are only a few cancers known to be caused by viruses and for those, vaccines are extremely promising. Prevention is always preferred and, in some cases, vaccines will play the role. However, there are many other types of cancer not associated with viral infection, and with those the focus will continue to be on cures." Boulay: Richard.Boulay@lvh.com Phone: +1-610-402-0879 News Contact: Brian Downs, brian.downs@lvh.com Phone: +1-610-317-4825 (5/25/06)

**6. MARK DEFRANCESCO, M.D., chief medical officer at WOMEN'S HEALTH CONNECTICUT: "The vaccines are a significant advance towards eliminating cervical cancer, but they won't replace the need for screening. The FDA approved the use of the HPV test along with the Pap smear in women 30 and older -- the group most at risk for cervical cancer. While the Pap alone can miss abnormal cells caused by HPV, using the two tests together increases doctors' ability to identify women in need of early intervention to nearly 100 percent. Cervical cancer is caused by HPV, and unlike most other cancers, is preventable. Girls and young women may benefit from the HPV vaccine, and women of all ages need to be screened with the Pap and -- if 30 or older -- the HPV test." News Contact: Traci Tournoux, ttournoux@lippetaylor.com Phone: +1-212-598-4400 (5/25/06)

**7. MARIE SAVARD, M.D., internist, women's health expert and author: "I am afraid that discussing only a new vaccine, which will partially protect our daughters in the future, will distract women from the real issue at hand -- screening women today with the best tests available. All women 30 years of age and older should ask their doctor about getting the HPV test along with the Pap during their next visit." News Contact: Traci Tournoux, ttournoux@lippetaylor.com Phone: +1-212-598-4400 (5/25/06)

**8. J. THOMAS COX, M.D., director of the Gynecology & Colposcopy Clinic at the UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT SANTA BARBARA: "Until long after the HPV vaccines become available, women will still require screening to prevent the 30 percent of cancers that occur from other high-risk HPV types not present in the vaccine. Screening will protect women who are not vaccinated and those already infected because HPV testing is more sensitive than cervical cytology (Pap testing). Therefore, women with concurrent negative Pap and HPV tests can be reassured that their risk of cervical cancer is approximately one in 1,000." News Contact: Traci Tournoux, ttournoux@lippetaylor.com Phone: +1- 212-598-4400 (5/25/06)

**9. THOMAS C. WRIGHT JR., M.D., director of the Division of Gynecological & Obstetrical Pathology at COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER: "The vaccines are going to be great in reducing cervical cancer 20 years from now. But millions of women will die in those two decades of a preventable disease without more widespread screening and treatment. Cervical cancer is caused by the HPV virus, and unlike most other cancers, can be prevented. Girls and young women may benefit from the HPV vaccine, and women of all ages need to be screened with the Pap and, if age 30 or older, the HPV test." News Contact: Traci Tournoux, ttournoux@lippetaylor.com Phone: +1-212-598-4400 (5/25/06)

**10. DR. LISA MASTERSON, OB-GYN, has a private practice affiliated with Cedar Sinai and St. John's in Los Angeles: "With the new vaccine on the horizon, the traditional gynecological visit and Pap smear will no longer be the same. Women will have the option to go to their doctors and be vaccinated against HPV prior to be coming sexually active. However, the vaccine will not cure those that have already contracted the virus. What was before a devastating diagnosis for women, leaving them without a cure, now presents a new frontier of hope. Giving hope to all women, type- specific HPV tests in conjunction with the Pap smear will soon become the standard of care." Masterson anticipates this vaccine to be revolutionary in its form, safety and efficacy. News Contact: Erin Jundef, ejundef@harrisshepard.com Phone: +1- 310-277-0437 (5/25/06)

**11. WARNER K. HUH, M.D., assistant professor at the UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, is a gynecologic oncologist and investigator on Merck and GSK vaccine trials: "Several important milestones are left to conquer. The FDA advisory committee's endorsement is a huge step toward protecting women from cervical cancer. But more importantly, the national Advisory Committee of Immunization Practices (ACIP) will likely decide this summer whether to endorse routine vaccination. It is recommending vaccination for girls 11 and 12. This is the committee that will decide whether this vaccine should be part of routine vaccinations for children, like the measles and chickenpox vaccines." Huh: whuh@uab.edu Phone: +1-205-934-4986 News Contact: Tracy Bischoff, tracy@uab.edu Phone: +1- 205-934-8935 (5/25/06)

**12. ROBERT ROSE, associate professor of medicine at the UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER MEDICAL CENTER: "The vaccine against cervical cancer and HPV has its roots in work that took place in several labs around the world, including Rochester. More than 20 years ago, physicians polled the clergy about their sex lives and visited area dairy farms, where doctors scraped cows' warts to get enough bovine HPV for study. The key was creation of a 'viral-like particle' or VLP to provoke the immune system to fight off HPV. Once the key laboratory work had been completed, the difficult job of commercializing the technology had just begun, illustrating the perilous journey from laboratory to market." Rose: robert_rose@urmc.rochester.edu Phone: +1-585-409-8933 News Contact: Tom Rickey, tom_rickey@urmc.rochester.edu Phone: +1-585-275-7954 Web site: http://www.rochester.edu/pr/Review/V68N3/feature1.html (5/25/06)

**13. GREGORY HENDERSON, M.D., director of anatomic pathology at OCHSNER HEALTH SYSTEM in New Orleans: "Some strains of the sexually transmitted virus called Human Papillomavirus (HPV) are now known to be the cause of essentially all types of cervical cancer. Nationally, cervical cancer causes the death of 5,000 women each year. A much greater number of women require procedures such as cervical surgery and, at times, hysterectomy to remove the pre-cancerous lesions caused by HPV, so that they do not evolve into life-threatening cancers. Internationally, because of ineffective screening programs, cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women, and in many countries, deaths from cervical cancer are more common that deaths from breast cancer." News Contact: Katherine Voss, Kvoss@ochsner.org Phone: +1-504-842-2225 (5/25/06)

**14. SUSAN WYSOCKI, NP, FAANP, president and CEO of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF NURSE PRACTITIONERS IN WOMEN'S HEALTH: "The HPV vaccine is extremely promising, but it is critical that we keep in mind the millions of people who already have the virus, which can increase the risk for developing cervical cancer and external genital warts, and require treatment." Wysocki: Swy1@aol.com Phone: +1-202-543-9693, ext. 2 News Contact: Melissa Lang, mlang@weisscommpartners.com Phone: +1-212-301-7208 (5/25/06)

**15. CECELIA BOARDMAN, M.D., gynecologic oncologist and associate professor at VIRGINIA COMMONWEATLH UNIVERSITY's Massey Cancer Center: "The vaccine has wonderful prospects for the next generation, in terms of prevention of cervical and other HPV-related cancers, but I don't believe it will impact the current burden of disease and the need for Pap smear screening of women in their 20s." Boardman: cboardm@vcu.edu Phone: +1-804-828-0890 News Contact: Andrea L. Butler, albutler@vcu.edu Phone: +1-804-628-2111 (5/25/06)

**16. HAROLD VANDERPOOL, medical ethicist at the University of TEXAS MEDICAL BRANCH AT GALVESTON: "It's a stretch to assume a girl will be more promiscuous just because she's protected from cervical cancer. Her parents and her peers have more influence on her sexual decisions than the fear of cancer. The legitimate ethical debate on this vaccine is about whether it should be mandated or optional; that's an issue we need to discuss as a society." News Contact: Judie Kinonen, jlkinone@utmb.edu Phone: +1-409-772- 8772 (5/25/06)

**17. NANCY BERMAN, adult nurse practitioner at NORTHWEST INTERNAL MEDICINE ASSOCIATES: "The first vaccine for HPV, Gardasil, is nearing FDA approval and will further require that people understand the role of HPV in cervical cancer, including HPV, DNA testing and the vaccine." News Contact: Traci Tournoux, ttournoux@lippetaylor.com Phone: +1-212-598-4400 (5/25/06)

**18. JILL ROGERS, director of marketing research services at ALLPOINTS RESEARCH, INC., is an expert in consumer behavior related to sexual health pharmaceuticals. On May 22, the marketing research firm completed a study of women's awareness of HPV and the vaccine. A summary of results includes: 69 percent of all women are not aware of the primary diseases/conditions for which HPV can be the root cause. About 60 percent say they have heard of HPV. 72 percent indicated they would allow administration of an HPV vaccine to their 12-year-old daughter(s), if they had any of this age. An executive summary, full data, graphs and headshot suitable for publication are available. News Contact: Tamara McLendon, email@tamaramclendon.com Phone: +1- 336-510-4148 (5/25/06)

**19. DWIGHT D. IM, M.D., F.A.C.O.G., co-director for The Gynecologic Oncology Center at MERCY MEDICAL CENTER, has made numerous professional presentations on such topics as cervical and ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer, and vaginal lesions, even breast cancer. Im has many articles and chapters published on such subjects as ultrasonic surgical techniques, primary lymphoma of the ovary and other issues relative to reproductive cancers. Additional interests include pelvic surgery and treating HPV. Im addressed the issue of "Concepts in Screening for Cervical and Endometrial Cancer" at the Mercy Women's Health Conference held November 2004. Im: +1- 410-332-9208 News Contact: Dan Collins, dcollins@mercymed.com Phone: +1-410- 332-9714 (5/25/06)

**20. DR. LAWRENCE STANBERRY, M.D., Ph.D., director of the UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL BRANCH AT GALVESTON's Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, was involved with testing the new HPV vaccine. He is a world-renowned expert in the field with special interest in vaccines for sexually transmitted diseases, especially herpes simplex virus. He has written extensively on the importance of adolescent acceptance of STD vaccines. News Contact: Judie Kinonen, jlkinone@utmb.edu Phone: +1-409-772-8772 (5/25/06)

**21. SUSAN ROSENTHAL, director of the Division of Adolescent and Behavioral Health at the UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL BRANCH AT GALVESTON, is a psychologist with research interest in adolescent sexual behavioral and is well versed on the controversy surrounding the new HPV vaccine. She and her colleagues have done research on teenage girls' attitudes toward sex, and she is currently researching the acceptability of a potential herpes vaccine. News Contact: Judie Kinonen, jlkinone@utmb.edu Phone: +1-409-772-8772 (5/25/06)

**22. CHARLES J. DUNTON, M.D., is the director of the division of gynecologic oncology at ALBERT EINSTEIN MEDICAL CENTER. His current areas of research include novel chemotherapy for the treatment of ovarian cancer and gene analysis related to cervical and vulvar cancer. Dunton holds several editorial positions and has published numerous journal articles, as well as four book chapters for textbooks on ovarian cancer and obstetric and gynecologic emergencies. In addition, he has served on international, national and regional committees focusing on gynecologic cancer, including a stint on the board of directors for the American Society of Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology. News Contact: Cuyler Mayer, cuyler.mayer@edelman.com Phone: +1-212-642-7776 (5/25/06)

**23. LISA C. FLOWERS, M.D., assistant professor of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the EMORY UNIVERSITY School of Medicine, was a principal investigator with a collaborative project, "Clinical Validation of Molecular Signatures of Cervical Cancer," initiated by the National Center for Infectious Diseases (NCID) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), supported by the Early Detection Research Network of NIH. Flowers has recently been awarded financial support from the Georgia Research Alliance for a collaborative project with Spectrx Corporation using innovative spectroscopic technology for the identification of cervical neoplasia in women. News Contact: Cuyler Mayer, cuyler.mayer@edelman.com Phone: +1-212-642-7776 (5/25/06)

**24. KEVIN AULT, M.D., assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the UNIVERSITY OF IOWA, received a Bachelor of Science degree from Butler University in Indianapolis in 1984 and a medical degree from Indiana University in 1988. He was a resident in obstetrics and gynecology at Ohio State University from 1988 to 1992. News Contact: Cuyler Mayer, cuyler.mayer@edelman.com Phone: +1-212-642-7776 (5/25/06)

**25. LAURA A. KOUTSKY, PH.D., MSPH, is a professor of epidemiology at the UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON. Her research concerns the acquisition and natural history of genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and the prevention of HPV-related genital tract neoplasms. Koutsky received her Ph.D. in epidemiology at the University of Washington in 1987 and her MSPH in Public Health in 1981. News Contact: Cuyler Mayer, cuyler.mayer@edelman.com Phone: +1-212-642-7776 (5/25/06)

**26. ANNA R. GIULIANO, Ph.D., professor and program leader at the Risk Assessment, Detection and Intervention Program at the H. LEE MOFFITT CANCER CENTER & RESEARCH INSTITUTE in Tampa, Fla., is an internationally recognized researcher, speaker and consultant. Her research interests include cancer epidemiology biomarkers; nutritional supplements and diet as chemopreventive agents; and human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer, breast cancer and cancer screening. News Contact: Cuyler Mayer, cuyler.mayer@edelman.com Phone: +1-212-642-7776 (5/25/06)

**27. BOBBIE GOSTOUT, M.D., a gynecological oncologist at the MAYO CLINIC CANCER CENTER, is a leader in the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation and the Society for Gynecologic Oncology. She is also committee member at the American College of Surgeons, and an avid proponent of gynecological cancer issues, including the HPV vaccine. News Contact: Elizabeth Zimmermann, Zimmermann.Elizabeth@mayo.edu Phone: +1-507-266-0810 (5/25/06)

ROUND-UP: ROUTINE HIV TESTING (continued)

We've added the following to items posted previously at http://profnet.prnewswire.com/organik/orbital/thewire/lst_leads.jsp?iLRTopicI D=14193

**1. ROBERT BETTIKER, M.D., assistant professor of medicine, section of infectious diseases, TEMPLE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE: "Close to 1 million Americans are infected with HIV, and 25 percent are unaware of their diagnosis. The CDC's 'opt-out' proposal attempts to normalize the HIV test. With the first visit to a primary care physician or admission to an ER or hospital, all patients would be told that they would be tested for HIV unless they wished not to be tested. This should increase the number of persons tested. We must be careful to link a newly diagnosed person to proper HIV care, and to deliver test results in a sensitive manner." Bettiker: robert.bettiker@temple.edu Phone: +1-215-707-3559 News Contact: Eryn Jelesiewicz, eryn.jelesiewicz@temple.edu Phone: +1-215-707-0730 (5/25/06)

ROUND-UP: BIRD FLU (continued)

We've added the following to items posted previously at http://profnet.prnewswire.com/organik/orbital/thewire/lst_leads.jsp?iLRTopicI D=2385

**1. GERALD KEUSCH, associate dean of global health at BOSTON UNIVERSITY School of Public Health and an expert on infectious diseases, is available for comment on bird flu. Prior to this appointment, Keusch served as director of the Fogarty International Center at the National Institutes of Health and associate director for International Research in the office of the NIH Director. He is board certified in internal medicine and infectious diseases. News Contact: Kira Edler, kedler@bu.edu Phone: +1-617-358-1240 (5/25/06)

_____ LEADS

**1. FITNESS: AVOID WORKOUT BURNOUT AND MAXIMIZE RESULTS. STACY BERMAN, certified fitness trainer and owner/founder of STACY'S BOOT CAMP: It's not surprising -- working out the same way day after day can not only burn out your motivation, but can also cause the body to 'level out' and limit your progress. Not only is it important to periodically change up your routine for psychological reasons, but also for physiological reasons. You don't have to give up the gym completely, but you can 'shake up' your fitness routine by taking your workout outdoors a few times a week. This will not only benefit you mentally but also physically by delivering better results." News Contact: Laura Giardina, lgiardina@robinleedyassociates.com +1-914-241-0086, ext. 20 Web site: http://www.stacysbootcamp.com (5/25/06)

**2. FITNESS: USE A BUDDY SYSTEM TO MOTIVATE YOUR EXERCISE ROUTINE. STEPHANIE RHODES, co-creator of "The Fitness Challenge" exercise program: "For the 'wannabe exerciser, that person in most of us who wants to exercise but lacks the motivation to start and stick with a regular fitness program, a friendly competitive game played with a friend, spouse, co-worker, neighbor or child can be the answer. Most of us know that having a buddy for support makes most tasks easier. But by turning the buddy system into a friendly bet (i.e., making your partner wash your car, clean your golf clubs or buy you a dinner at a fine restaurant), you can up the ante by adding a layer of accountability for that extra motivation." Rhodes: stephanie@fitnesschallenge.com Phone: +1-239-293-9091 (5/25/06)

**3. FITNESS: PATIENTS SHOULD CONSULT WITH PHYSICIANS BEFORE BEGINNING AN EXERCISE PROGRAM. MICHAEL J. SAMPSON, D.O., team physician for VIRGINIA TECH and chair of the Department of Family Medicine at the EDWARD VIA VIRGINIA COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE in Blacksburg: "A 15-minute visit to your physician could potentially save your life or, at the very least, prevent future injuries from occurring." Sampson has professional experience with professional, college and high-school teams. With 2006 as the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS), the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) encourages Americans to consult with their physicians before embarking on a new exercise program. News Contact: Theresa Chu, tchu@osteopathic.org Phone: +1-312-202- 8159 (5/25/06)

**4. HEALTH: PREVENTING INFECTION RISK IN RECENT TISSUE HARVESTING SCANDAL. ALAIN DELONGCHAMP, CEO of CLEARANT, INC., a biotechnology company that specializes in pathogen inactivation technology: "Recent cases of transplant- related bacterial and viral transmissions have heightened public concerns about infection. A new advance in implantation surgery is the use of donated tissue allografts that can carry bacteria and viruses that may pose a threat to patients. Until recently, technology did not exist to inactivate bacteria and viruses in allograft tissue without impairing the integrity of the tissue. Tissue banks and surgeons around the country are relying on new technologies that combine gamma irradiation and proprietary chemicals to safely eliminate pathogens in tissue. This technology reduces the risk of infection to virtually zero." News Contact: Erik Clausen, clearant@schwartz- pr.com Phone: +1-781-684-0770 (5/25/06)