On January 25, 2017 Advaxis, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADXS), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing cancer immunotherapies, reported research published in the journal Cancer which underscores the need for more access to screenings, improved clinical care and new therapeutic options for all women with cervical cancer (Press release, Advaxis, JAN 25, 2017, View Source [SID1234517558]).

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These important research findings were covered by leading news outlets including The New York Times and CNN, as these data indicate that mortality rates of this deadly form of cancer are significantly higher in the United States than previously reported due to the inclusion of women who have had hysterectomies, highlighting racial and socioeconomic disparities. According to the research, the data revealed a U.S. cervical cancer mortality rate among women without hysterectomies of 10.1 per 100,000 black women and 4.7 per 100,000 white women, up from mortality rates of 5.7 and 3.2, respectively, which were previously reported in research among all women, including those who have had hysterectomies.

The publication of these data coincides with Cervical Health Awareness Month, a national effort designed to promote the need for cervical health education and screenings, which can lead to early detection of cervical cancer when therapies may be most effective.

Advaxis is the only biopharmaceutical company sponsoring global, phase 3 clinical research for advance stage cervical cancer. Last year, the company initiated its Phase 3 AIM2CERV (Advaxis IMmunotherapy 2 prevent CERVical recurrence) trial in high-risk, locally advanced cervical cancer (HRLACC). The company also announced positive, top-line data from the GOG-0265 Phase 2 trial that supports pursuing a global phase 3 study in metastatic recurrent cervical cancer.

"This research highlights disparities in outcomes in the cervical cancer community and underscores the need to work together with policy-makers, providers, academic institutions and the biopharmaceutical industry to raise awareness among minority groups about current treatment options and bring new treatment options forward," said Tamika Felder, Founder of Cervivor. "In doing so, hopefully we can close this gap."

Invasive cervical cancer occurs in women who have been infected by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and is the most common HPV-associated cancer in women. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 12,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2017. While vaccines to prevent HPV infection may help prevent cervical cancer if given before exposure, only one-third of the U.S. population has been vaccinated against the virus and the vaccination rate is lower worldwide, which is the main cause of the nearly 500,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Cervical cancer largely affects women who have not received preventative vaccines or regular screenings.