New research unit to lead the way in finding a cure for virus

Published on Friday 19 December 2008 08:54

A NEW research centre is to be set up in Edinburgh to find a cure for one of the country's most talked about sexual diseases.

As part of a three-pronged initiative at the ERI, a laboratory will be set up in the next few months dedicated to finding a cure for the human papilloma virus (HPV), the cause of most cervical cancer cases.

It comes as thousands of teenage girls across the Lothians are being vaccinated against the disease, and together with a cure, it is hoped the disease could be eradicated altogether.

The plans were unveiled as part of NHS Lothian's plan to host three specialist centres at Little France after beating off competition from health boards across the country.

As well as the HPV centre, those suffering from life-threatening diabetes will have their lives "transformed" thanks to a new transplant unit.

Those who have disabling hypoglycaemia from across Scotland will travel to the ERI to receive treatment which would negate the need for long-term medication. Healthy cells from donors – called islets – are implanted into a patient's body and help generate insulin naturally.

It will be a small project initially, and only those requiring the treatment urgently will be admitted.

In a further development, NHS Lothian's already impressive spinal services will now treat adults and teenagers, the first time that kind of treatment has been provided north of the border, the health board said.

The Sick Kids Hospital is already an area of expertise for the complex issue of spinal surgery, but with this investment it will be possible to extend that beyond current limits.

NHS Lothian's medical director Dr Charles Swainson said: "These new services will strengthen our reputation as being at the forefront of clinical advances and confirm our commitment to improving patient care."

The vaccination against the HPV virus was already seen as a significant step in battling cancer, as inoculations against the disease are rare.

While the vaccination – carried out in three stages – is virtually 100 per cent successful, there is still a need to find a cure for those who already have the disease, or those who fail to be immunised.

The vaccination programme is in its early stages, but health chiefs are optimistic the take-up rate of it will be extremely high in the Lothians.