Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine in Healthy Adult Women of 26 Years of Age and Older

This is a multicentre study in which women were planned to receive either the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine (HPV) vaccine or control. Under Protocol Amendment 3, study participation will last approximately 48 months and involves a total of eleven scheduled visits. Under Protocol Amendment 4, study participation will last up to 84 months and involves a maximum of seventeen scheduled visits.

The Protocol Posting has been updated due to protocol amendment 5 and in order to comply with the FDA Amendment Act, Sep 2007.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion criteria:

* A woman who the investigator believes that she can and will comply with the requirements of the protocol.
* A women of at least 26 years of age at the time of the first vaccination.
* Written informed consent obtained from the subject prior to enrolment.
* Free of obvious health problems as established by medical history and clinical examination before entering into the study.
* Subject must have intact cervix.
* Subject must have a negative urine pregnancy test. This test is not applicable to women of non-childbearing potential.
* Subject must be of non-childbearing potential or, if of childbearing potential, she must be abstinent or must be using an effective method of birth control for 30 days prior to the first vaccination and must agree to continue such precautions for two months after completion of the vaccination series.

Exclusion criteria:

* Pregnant or breastfeeding (women must be at least three months post-pregnancy and not breastfeeding to enter the study).
* A women planning to become pregnant, likely to become pregnant (as determined by the investigator) or planning to discontinue contraceptive precautions during the vaccination phase of the study, i.e. up to two months after the last vaccine dose (Month 0 - 8).
* Use of any investigational or non-registered product (drug or vaccine) other than the study vaccine within 30 days preceding the first dose of study vaccine, or planned use during the study period (up to Month 84).
* Chronic administration of immunosuppressants or other immune-modifying drugs within six months prior to the first vaccine dose.
* Planned administration/administration of a vaccine not foreseen by the study protocol within 30 days before and 30 days after (i.e. days 0 - 29) the first dose of study vaccine. Planned administration/administration of routine vaccines up to 8 days before the first dose of study vaccine is allowed. Enrolment will be deferred until the subject is outside of specified window.
* Previous administration of components of the investigational vaccine
* Previous vaccination against HPV or planned administration of any HPV vaccine other than that foreseen by the study protocol during the study period.
* History of HPV infection/treatment or planned treatment to evaluate an abnormal cervical cytology (Pap smear) test, e.g. colposcopy.
* Any medically diagnosed or suspected immunodeficient condition based on medical history and physical examination.
* History of allergic disease, suspected allergy or reactions likely to be exacerbated by any component of the study vaccine.
* Hypersensitivity to latex.
* Known acute or chronic, clinically significant neurologic, hepatic or renal functional abnormality, as determined by previous physical examination or laboratory tests.
* History of chronic condition(s) requiring treatment.
* Administration of immunoglobulins and/or any blood product within three months preceding the first dose of study vaccine, or planned administration during the study period. Enrolment will be deferred until the subject is outside of specified window.
* Acute disease at the time of enrolment.
* Heavy bleeding (menstruation or other) or heavy vaginal discharge in which a pelvic exam cannot be performed (and no cervical sample can be taken). Enrolment will be deferred until condition is resolved according to investigators medical judgement.