Local doctor fights virus through research

Dr. Steven Greer. Photo by Kathryn Godsiff

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is not generally a topic of discussion around the dinner table. A sexually transmitted disease which can cause genital warts, it is also one of the main causes of abnormal Pap smears. As such, it becomes one of the main precursors of cervical cancer in women.

Apart from abstinence, there has previously been no means of prevention for this disease, and methods of treatment are not always effective.

Dr. Steven Greer is working with a team of other researchers to change that. A family medicine doctor at Bend Memorial Clinic, Dr. Greer practices two days each week at the Sisters office. As a member of the Bend Memorial Research Department, he is directing a study trial on a vaccine for HPV.

The vaccine is being developed by Merck, one of the major global drug companies. Successful trials have already been done on the vaccine at medical schools and large research centers.

The next step in the development process is to take the trial to community centers around the world. Bend Memorial Research Department has participated in many such research studies on different drugs.

Before a trial is undertaken, the drug company releases the protocols which must be strictly adhered to. The research team then decides if it is something it would like to take on.

It is no doubt rewarding to work on any successful drug trial, but Dr. Greer is particularly excited about this one.

"If the vaccine is as effective as we think it is, it has the potential to wipe out a cancer," he said.

Cervical cancer, while not a leading cancer in the U.S. due to effective screening procedures, is one of the major cancer threats for women in developing countries.

The current study has been underway for around eight weeks and will continue for four years. Dr. Greer said that more subjects would be welcome to participate. The target group is women between the ages of 16 and 23 who are sexually active.

An institutional review board monitors the protocols and procedures. The ultimate goal of this and any research study is patient safety, and the review board makes sure the patients are cared for.

For more information about the vaccine trial, go to the Bend Memorial Clinic website at www.bendmemorialclinic.com and click on About Clinical Research, or phone Jill Rentas, Research Coordinator at 318-3077.