New In Vitro Test for HPV Infection and Cervical Cancer Risk

Background on HPV and Cervical Cancer

A significant proportion of cervical cancer cases, estimated at up to 91%, are linked to the human papillomavirus (HPV). Timely diagnosis plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of cancer treatment, prompting recent research efforts to focus on identifying pre-cancerous markers.

Development of the Diagnostic Test

Researchers have created an innovative diagnostic test that detects HPV infections and precancerous markers. This in vitro test, known as HPV RNA sequencing, allows for the identification of 13 high-risk HPV variants. The RNA sequencing technology facilitates the tracking of early and late HPV transcripts, which can be further analyzed to assess the potential risk of cervical lesions.

Study Evaluation and Results

To test the effectiveness of the newly developed method, researchers conducted a study involving 55 patients. The findings were published in the Journal of Molecular Diagnostics. Among the participants, 27 exhibited high-squamous intraepithelial lesions, while the remaining 28 showed low-squamous intraepithelial lesions. Patients were evaluated using both the new RNA sequencing technology and the traditional HPV DNA-based diagnostic kit.

The results indicated that the HPV RNA sequencing test was more accurate than existing methods in determining the characteristics of HPV infections within the patient group. Notably, the RNA-Seq test identified two additional high-risk HPV cases and more instances of multiple HPV infections compared to the DNA diagnostic kit. With a sensitivity rate of 97.3% for high-risk HPV infections, the authors propose that the HPV RNA-Seq test serves as a low-cost and convenient alternative to the diagnostic DNA kit.

Advantages of the New Testing Method

This new approach merges two conventional processes—pap smears and HPV molecular screenings—resulting in a more efficient and cost-effective test capable of detecting HPV infections and predicting cervical cancer risk. The researchers believe this advancement will help patients avoid multiple invasive procedures typically required to diagnose cervical lesions in those infected with HPV.

References

Pérot, P., Biton, A., Marchetta, J., Pourcelot, A.-G., Nazac, A., Marret, H., … Eloit, M. (2019). Broad-Range Papillomavirus Transcriptome as a Biomarker of Papillomavirus-Associated Cervical High-Grade Cytology. The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics, 21(5), 768–781. doi: 10.1016/j.jmoldx.2019.04.010

Elseviernews. (n.d.). New Test Enhances Ability to Predict Risk of Developing Cervical Cancer in Human Papillomavirus. Retrieved from https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-08/e-nte080719.php

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