A powerful new vaccine could prevent most of the cancers triggered by the human papillomavirus, researchers have reported.
The vaccine has nine components and is intended to be an "upgrade" for the vaccine currently used to protect young women against cervical cancer.
Based on a trial involving more than 14,000 women, the Austrian researchers say the new vaccine would prevent 90% of the cancers linked to the virus.
It would tackle nine sub-types of the virus responsible for 85% of pre-cancerous cells found in the cervix.
Researchers said the new vaccine is five to 15% more effective against other kinds of cancer linked to the virus, such as vaginal cancer, than the existing vaccine.
It is up to 20% more effective against cervical cancer than the current vaccine, according to a study reported in the New England Journal of Medicine by researcher Elmar Joura, from the MedUni Vienna.
The current vaccine works against four sub-types of the virus.
The journal says the findings represent a "milestone in research into cancers associated with the human papillomavirus."
A 9-Valent HPV Vaccine against Infection and Intraepithelial Neoplasia in Women. N Engl J Med 18 February 2015;372:711-23; doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1405044
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