CareHPV cervical cancer screening demonstration in a rural population of north India

Risk assessment of careHPV testing for the detection of cervical precancerous lesions: 5-year follow-up of a screening program in China

BACKGROUND

CareHPV is a highly promising screening HPV assay that functions as a simplified and rapid point-of-care test, making it particularly well-suited for low-resource areas. It exhibits high sensitivity for detecting cervical precancerous lesions in cross-sectional study design. However, there is still limited evidence on the long-term protection of careHPV testing in the practical setting.

METHODS

A government-led cervical cancer screening program was implemented in Ordos City, China, specifically targeting female residents aged 35-64 years since 2016. CareHPV specimens were collected and visual inspection with acetic acid and Lugol iodine (VIA/VILI) was performed in the baseline screening. Women who were HPV-positive or VIA/VILI-suspected cancer at baseline were invited for a one-year follow-up screening. At the same time, those who were HPV-negative were scheduled for a 5-year rescreening. Women diagnosed with cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN2+) would be referred to clinical treatment as per the clinical guidelines. The current study includes participants who had valid baseline screening results and attended follow-ups with valid careHPV results conducted between January 2017 and December 2021, aiming to assess the long-term risk stratification for careHPV. Cumulative incidence rate (CIRs) and hazard ratio (HRs) for CIN2+ were calculated, using survival analysis.

RESULTS

Among the 179,306 women enrolled in the baseline screening between 2016 and 2020, 12.60 % tested positive for careHPV, with 657 cases of CIN2+ identified. The final analysis included 18,562 women in our study, of whom 58.54 % were careHPV-positive at baseline. The final analysis consisted of 17,905 women who underwent screening between 2016 and 2020 and attended follow-ups from 2017 to 2021, with valid HPV results, and 657 women who identified as CIN2+ at the baseline. The 5-year CIRs were 0.003 and 0.101 among women who tested negative and positive for baseline careHPV, respectively. The 5-year CIRs for developing CIN2+ during follow-ups were 0.009, 0.009, and 0.11 for the groups of women who transitioned from careHPV-negative to positive (831, 4.64 %), careHPV-positive to negative (6688, 37.35 %), and maintained a stable positive careHPV status (3535, 19.74 %), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings support the long-term safety and protection of careHPV testing in 5-year follow-ups of screening programs. CareHPV represents a viable option for regions with limited healthcare resources.

Strategies and implementation outcomes of HPV-based cervical screening studies to prevent cervical cancer in India: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

As Indian states consider HPV testing for cervical screening, there is a need to review evidence from prior studies to inform program design and evaluate implementation research gaps.

DESIGN

We conducted a systematic review of original articles in Medline, Embase, Global Health and Web of Science, published from 2000 to May 4, 2024. Articles describing use of HPV as a primary cervical screening test in India, in either community-based programs for the general population, or among women living with HIV, were included. We describe approaches to invitation, education, screening, and follow-up, and map determinants and outcomes to the RE-AIM and the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research frameworks.

RESULTS

Of 71 included articles (51 unique studies), 19 reported on screening among women living with HIV, while 52 were community-based (general population of women). Self-collection was offered by 15 studies and was acceptable to most screened women. Community-based programs were mainly facility or outreach-based, with three studies offering only home-based self-collection, including one that integrated with cardiovascular risk screening. Studies from northeastern and tribal populations were scarce. Only one self-collection study used a screen and treat (at second visit) approach, but did not report follow-up, while none offered immediate treatment following a point-of-care test.

CONCLUSIONS

Community-based HPV testing, including self-collection, is feasible in India, with more research needed among underrepresented populations. Further implementation research is needed on integrating HPV screening with existing health systems, feasibility of HPV test and treat models and genotyping triage, to improve follow-up in low resource settings.

CareHPV, Papanicolaou Positivity Status, and Their Association With Behavioral Risk Factors in Rural Women of Kamrup District, Assam, India

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Screening of rural women of Assam by careHPV test for high-risk HPV (hr-HPV) DNA and Papanicolaou (PAP) test for abnormal cytology.

METHOD

This prospective cross-sectional study included 480 non-pregnant women participants aged 20-70 years from Kamrup District, Assam. Two cervical scrap samples were obtained from eligible enrolled women. The Hr-HPV DNA test by CareHPV was performed with one cervical scrap, and a second cervical scrap sample was used for the Papanicolaou (PAP) test. The statistical analysis was done using RStudio for variables. A p-value < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

RESULTS

Women having positive hr-HPV DNA outcomes were 3.33% (16/480) and 7.7% (37/480) women had positive PAP. Tobacco chewing was significantly associated with positive hr-HPV DNA (p = 0.04) and positive PAP (p = 0.03) status. Alcohol-consuming women have a significantly higher risk of positive hr-HPV DNA (p < 0.00001) and positive PAP (p-0.04) outcomes. Irregular menstruation (p = 0.004) and urogenital tract infection (p = 0.008) also have significant risk for a positive hr-HPV DNA status. The positive hr-HPV DNA status was also significant in women having > 3 numbers of children birth (p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

We found that the positive hr-HPV DNA status among rural women in Kamrup, Assam, was significantly associated with alcohol consumption, tobacco chewing, irregular menstruation, urogenital tract infection, and more than three children birth. The abnormal cytology outcome was also substantially associated with tobacco chewing and alcohol consumption.

Digital health interventions for cervical cancer care: A systematic review and future research opportunities

BACKGROUND

Cervical cancer is a malignancy among women worldwide, which is responsible for innumerable deaths every year. The primary objective of this review study is to offer a comprehensive and synthesized overview of the existing literature concerning digital interventions in cervical cancer care. As such, we aim to uncover prevalent research gaps and highlight prospective avenues for future investigations.

METHODS

This study adopted a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) methodology where a total of 26 articles were reviewed from an initial set of 1110 articles following an inclusion-exclusion criterion.

RESULTS

The review highlights a deficiency in existing studies that address awareness dissemination, screening facilitation, and treatment provision for cervical cancer. The review also reveals future research opportunities like explore innovative approaches using emerging technologies to enhance awareness campaigns and treatment accessibility, consider diverse study contexts, develop sophisticated machine learning models for screening, incorporate additional features in machine learning research, investigate the impact of treatments across different stages of cervical cancer, and create more user-friendly applications for cervical cancer care.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study can contribute to mitigating the adverse effects of cervical cancer and improving patient outcomes. It also highlights the untapped potential of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, which could significantly impact our society.

Implications of viral infections and oncogenesis in uterine cervical carcinoma etiology and pathogenesis

Background

Uterine Cervical Carcinoma (UCC) is the most prevalent gynecological malignancy globally, with a rising incidence in recent years. Accumulating evidence indicates that specific viral infections, including human papillomavirus (HPV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV), and human herpesvirus (HHV), may contribute to UCC development and progression. Understanding the complex interplay between viral infections and UCC risk is crucial for developing novel preventative and therapeutic interventions.

Methods

This comprehensive review investigates the association between viral infections and UCC risk by examining the roles of various viral pathogens in UCC etiology and pathogenesis, and possible molecular mechanisms. Additionally, we evaluate current diagnostic methods and potential therapeutic strategies targeting viral infections for UCC prevention or treatment.

Results

The prevention of UCC has been significantly advanced by the emergence of self-sampling for HPV testing as a crucial tool, allowing for early detection and intervention. However, an essential challenge in UCC prevention lies in understanding how HPV and other viral coinfections, including EBV, HBV, HCV, HHV, HIV, or their concurrent presence, may potentially contribute to UCC development. The molecular mechanisms implicated in the association between viral infections and cervical cancer development include: (1) interference of viral oncogenes with cellular regulatory proteins, resulting in uncontrolled cell proliferation and malignant transformation; (2) inactivation of tumor suppressor genes by viral proteins; (3) evasion of host immune responses by viruses; (4) induction of a persistent inflammatory response, contributing to a tumor-promoting microenvironment; (5) epigenetic modifications that lead to aberrant gene expression; (6) stimulation of angiogenesis by viruses; and (7) activation of telomerase by viral proteins, leading to cellular immortalization. Additionally, viral coinfections can also enhance oncogenic potential through synergistic interactions between viral oncoproteins, employ immune evasion strategies, contribute to chronic inflammation, modulate host cellular signaling pathways, and induce epigenetic alterations, ultimately leading to cervical carcinogenesis.

Conclusion

Recognizing the implications of viral oncogenes in UCC etiology and pathogenesis is vital for addressing the escalating burden of UCC. Developing innovative preventative and therapeutic interventions requires a thorough understanding of the intricate relationship between viral infections and UCC risk.

Self-Collection Cervical Screening in the Asia-Pacific Region: A Scoping Review of Implementation Evidence

PURPOSE

Although cervical cancer is a disease of inequity, it can be eliminated as a public health problem through vaccination, screening, and treatment. Human papillomavirus vaginal self-collection cervical screening is a high-performance test that can increase reach of screening. This review describes the different contexts and models of care used to pilot or implement self-collection within the Asia-Pacific, measures the extent that implementation outcome measures are reported and, where available, summarizes key implementation findings.

METHODS

A scoping review was conducted by searching five databases of the peer-reviewed literature on June 20, 2022. Two researchers assessed eligibility and extracted data independently to the model of care used and the Conceptual Framework for Implementation Outcomes. A mixed-method consolidation of findings (quantitative: count and frequencies; qualitative: content analysis) was undertaken to narratively report findings.

RESULTS

Fifty-seven articles, comprising 50 unique studies from 11 countries and two special autonomous regions, were included; 82% were conducted in trials. The implementation of self-collection was conducted in low- (2%), lower-middle- (32%), upper-middle- (32%), and high-income (35%) settings, with 10 different delivery models used; 80% delivered through practitioner-supported models with diversity in how samples were processed, and treatment was offered. Acceptability (73%) and appropriateness (64%) measures were most reported, followed by adoption (57%), feasibility (48%), and fidelity (38%). Only 7% of articles reported implementation cost or penetration measures. No articles reported sustainability measures.

CONCLUSION

The literature confirms that self-collection cervical screening has been implemented within the Asia-Pacific region, with evidence demonstrating that it is acceptable and appropriate from the user's perspective. Well-designed, high-quality implementation trials and real-world evaluations of self-collection that report the breadth of implementation outcomes can support the progression toward the elimination of cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer elimination in indian context: Moving from barriers to facilitators

It has been 46 years since the launch of cancer control programs in India and yet the recent National Family Health Survey (fifth round, 2019-2021) has reported that just 1.9% of women aged 30-49 years have ever undergone cervical cancer screening. The cost of delayed diagnosis of cervical cancer and its treatment is overwhelming, and the rural population takes the worst hit. It is the need of the hour that the Indian health system and policymakers identify the barriers and facilitators for cervical cancer early detection and provide pragmatic solutions so that the targets of cervical cancer elimination can be achieved in a timely manner.

Diagnostic accuracy for alternative cervical cancer screening strategies: A systematic review and meta-analysis

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the accuracy of screening cervical cancer tests as alternative standalone methods. The combined estimates of sensitivity of visual inspection with acetic acid, visual inspection with lugol's iodine, conventional pap smear, liquid-based cytology, High risk HPV testing by clinician, High risk HPV testing by self- sampling, cervicography were 64%, 80%, 55%, 70%, 70% and 67% respectively; the combine values of specificity of these screening strategies were 88%, 88%, 96%, 59%, 94%, and 95% respectively. Our findings draw attention to an attractive opinion to facilitate the collection of specimens for DNA HPV by patients in settings where they don't have access to a regular screening programs.

At what age should the Uyghur minority initiate cervical cancer screening if screened using careHPV

Background

The careHPV test as a primary screening method for cervical cancer has been proven to be the best option for Uyghur women in Xinjiang in a previous study. In this research, we aim to discuss the appropriate age for Uyghur women in Xinjiang to be screened for cervical cancer using careHPV.

Methods

Eleven thousand women aged 20–69 years old (mean age 38.93 ± 9.74) from South Xinjiang were screened using careHPV and liquid‐based cytology, and the positive results were referred for colposcopy and cervical biopsy. A questionnaire regarding basic social characteristics, sexual practices, and reproductive history was administered to each woman. The age‐specific prevalence of HPV positivity, cytology abnormality, and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2+ in ≥25, ≥30, and ≥35 age groups were analyzed, and the diagnostic value of careHPV in the three age groups was evaluated. The chi‐squared test was used to compare the differences between age groups. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve were calculated.

Results

The women were mostly married (76.3%) and delivered at 15–19 years of age (61.4%). The HPV infection rate was 9.15% and detection rates of CIN2+ and invasive cervical cancer were 1.53% (1530/100,000) and 0.25% (250/100,000), respectively. The first peak of HPV(+) appeared at the age of 30–34, while CIN2+ appeared at 35–39. CareHPV performed similarly well in the three age groups.

Conclusion

Based on the results of our study, Uyghur women in Xinjiang should be recommended to initiate cervical cancer screening at the age of 30 years when screened using careHPV.

Human Papilloma Virus self-sampling performance in low- and middle-income countries

Background

Screening for HPV has led to significant reductions in cervical cancer deaths in high-income countries. However, the same results have not been achieved in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). HPV self-sampling is a novel approach that could improve screening rates.

Methods

This study’s objective is to summarize the recent literature on HPV self-sampling in LMICs, focusing on sensitivity/specificity, and feasibility/acceptability of self-sampling compared to traditional screening methods. We conducted a PubMed search for articles published in English within the last 10 years on self-sampling in LMICs.

Results

Fifty eligible articles from 26 countries were included, 19 of which came from sub-Saharan Africa and 18 from Latin America/Caribbean. Seven studies examined sensitivity, with five reporting rates higher than 91%. Six reported on specificity, which was also very high at 86–97.8%. Six studies examined self-sampling concordance with provider-collected sampling, with concordance rates ranging from 87 to 97.5%. A total of 38 studies examined the feasibility/acceptability of HPV self-sampling. Participation rates were very high in all studies, even when self-sampling was done at participants’ homes (over 89% participation). Overall, participants reported that HPV self-sampling was easy to perform (75–97%, 18 studies), painless (60–90%, nine studies), and preferred over provider-collected sampling (57–100%, 14 studies). Eight studies reported follow-up rates for participants who completed self-sampling; however, these rates varied widely-from 13.7 to 90%. The major benefits of self-sampling include convenience of screening from home, less embarrassment, and less travel. Improved education and awareness of self-sampling, combined with support from community health workers, could reduce perceptions of self-sampling being inferior to provider-collected sampling. Improving follow-up of abnormal results and improving linkages to treatment are also essential.

Conclusion

Our literature review highlights HPV self-sampling is a well-performing test that shows promise in terms of expanding screening efforts for the prevention of cervical cancer-related deaths in LMICs.

Reproducibility of a Rapid Human Papillomavirus Test at Different Levels of the Healthcare System in Tanzania: The AISHA Study

BACKGROUND

To inform policy makers in Tanzania if and how best to implement rapid HPV testing, we assessed the interobserver reproducibility of careHPV test at three different levels of the healthcare system in an urban and a rural region of Tanzania.

METHODS

Women aged 30 to 50 years were screened by careHPV testing in two primary healthcare centers (PHC), two district hospitals (DiH), and two regional hospitals (ReH). Aliquots were retested at regional (ReH) and national referral laboratories (NRL). Reproducibility was evaluated using agreement and kappa index measures. Intralaboratory reproducibility was also evaluated in a set of 10 positive and 10 negative samples.

RESULTS

Samples from 1,134 women were locally tested and retested at ReH and/or NRL. Test results from Dar es Salaam ReH and Kilimanjaro PHC showed clear quality problems including suspicion of contamination during testing or aliquoting. After excluding these samples, 18.8% of 743 women were HPV positive at clinic level. The resulting careHPV reproducibility at different levels of the healthcare system was very good [agreement 95.7%, 95% confidence interval (CI), 94.0-96.9; kappa, 0.86, 95% CI, 0.81-0.91]. Intralaboratory agreement was also very good across four different experiments, with Fleiss' kappa between 0.87 (95% CI, 0.61-1.00) and 1.00 (0.75-1.00).

CONCLUSIONS

Rapid HPV testing was highly reproducible between lower and higher levels of the healthcare system in Tanzania; however, performance seems to be operator dependent.

IMPACT

The careHPV test seems to be a feasible option for cervical cancer screening in an organized, decentralized system and in limited-resource settings if quality assurance measures are in place.

Exploring an Appropriate Method of Cervical Cancer Screening in Rural China

Background. To explore the feasibility of careHPV (human papillomavirus) with cytology triage as a cervical cancer screening in rural areas of China. Methods. A total of 7138 women aged 35 to 64 years were divided into 2 groups. Women in careHPV group (n = 3536) underwent careHPV and 288 positive subjects underwent cytology, of which 65 women were ≥ASC-US (atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance). Women in the cytology group (n = 3602) underwent cytology and 111 women were ≥ASC-US. All subjects with ≥ASC-US were referred to colposcopy and biopsy. Results. The average age of subjects was 48.2 ± 7.8 years. In the careHPV group, the HPV-positive rate was 8.1%. The detection rate of ≥ASC-US was 1.8% in the careHPV group and 3.1% in the cytology group (P = .001). There was no significant difference in detection rate of ≥CINII (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia) in the careHPV group (0.7%) and the cytology group (0.6%; P = .416). In addition, to identify 1 case ≥CINII, an average of 2.6 colposcopies were needed in the careHPV group, and 5.3 colposcopies were performed to diagnose 1 case ≥CINII in the cytology group. Conclusions. careHPV with cytology triage offered similar efficiency in identifying abnormalities of CINII and above compared with cytology screening. With the reduced requirement for cytology testing and colposcopy, careHPV may be a more favorable cervical cancer screening strategy in areas of China where there is a lack of cytology services.

Cervical cancer screening in rural India: Status & current concepts

Cervical carcinoma is one of the most common and dreaded diseases of women, and in India, it accounts for 16 per cent of total cervical cancer cases occurring globally. The situation is more alarming in the rural areas where the majority of women are illiterate and ignorant about the hazards of cervical cancer. Different screening strategies such as rural cancer registries and camp approach for cancer detection have been found useful in minimizing the problem of cervical cancer in the villages. Various screening techniques such as visual inspection with acetic acid, visual inspection with Lugol's iodine, visual inspection with magnification devices-magnavisualizer, Pap smear and HPV-DNA testing have been suggested and tried under low-resource settings of our country, and cervical cytology screening has been found effective in reducing incidence of the disease. In the present review, feasibility of different screening methods has been assessed to find out the most suitable mode applicable at the rural level. Single lifetime screening particularly of high-risk women along with analysis of cost-effective tumour markers such as Argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNOR) counts to discriminate high-risk dysplasia cases appears to be an appropriate approach in fighting against cervical cancer.

A community-based, cross-sectional study of hrHPV DNA self-sampling-based cervical cancer screening in rural Karnataka, India

OBJECTIVE

To examine the feasibility of implementing a high-risk HPV (hrHPV) DNA-based screening program for cervical cancer and the prevalence of hrHPV DNA-positive women in a community setting in rural India.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted at the community level in the Hunsur taluk of the Mysore district from January to August 2016. Cervical cancer screening was conducted with self-collected vaginal samples that were analyzed using the Hybrid Capture 2 (HC2) assay (Qiagen, USA).

RESULTS

The majority of participants were aged 30-39 years, with no formal schooling, from a lower caste, and lived below an annual household income of US$1499. After group health education and one-on-one counseling, a total of 473 women underwent self-sampling. Of these, 36 (7.6%) were positive for hrHPV and only 24 (66.6%) underwent follow-up diagnostic triaging. Cancer was detected in two women, who were referred to appropriate healthcare facilities for further treatment.

CONCLUSION

Implementation of hrHPV DNA-based screening tests using self-sampling can be feasible in rural settings in India. However, substantial resources are required for providing health education and one-on-one counseling to inform asymptomatic women about the benefits of testing and, more importantly, to improve compliance with follow-up.

Development of Algorithms for Automated Detection of Cervical Pre-Cancers With a Low-Cost, Point-of-Care, Pocket Colposcope

GOAL

In this paper, we propose methods for (1) automatic feature extraction and classification for acetic acid and Lugol's iodine cervigrams and (2) methods for combining features/diagnosis of different contrasts in cervigrams for improved performance.

METHODS

We developed algorithms to pre-process pathology-labeled cervigrams and extract simple but powerful color and textural-based features. The features were used to train a support vector machine model to classify cervigrams based on corresponding pathology for visual inspection with acetic acid, visual inspection with Lugol's iodine, and a combination of the two contrasts.

RESULTS

The proposed framework achieved a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 81.3%, 78.6%, and 80.0%, respectively, when used to distinguish cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN+) relative to normal and benign tissues. This is superior to the average values achieved by three expert physicians on the same data set for discriminating normal/benign cases from CIN+ (77% sensitivity, 51% specificity, and 63% accuracy).

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that utilizing simple color- and textural-based features from visual inspection with acetic acid and visual inspection with Lugol's iodine images may provide unbiased automation of cervigrams.

SIGNIFICANCE

This would enable automated, expert-level diagnosis of cervical pre-cancer at the point of care.

Acceptability of self-sampling and human papillomavirus testing among non-attenders of cervical cancer screening programs in El Salvador

In a cross-sectional study carried out in El Salvador between February 2016 and July 2017, self-sampling and human papillomavirus (HPV) testing was found to be highly acceptable among 2019 women who had not attended a cervical cancer screening in at least 3 years. Within this population, HPV positivity rates differed according to age, marital status, number of children, and lifetime sexual partners. The proportion of women who tested HPV positive or who were diagnosed with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 (CIN2) or more severe diagnoses (CIN2+) was similar to the general population of the area. Among the reasons for failing to participate in previous screening programs, non-attending women described logistic concerns, but also erroneous beliefs regarding HPV and cervical cancer, misconceptions regarding the screening procedure, discomfort with male providers, and confidentiality fears. The aim of this study was to identify opportunities and challenges that emerged from the use of self-sampling and HPV testing as part of a public cervical cancer control effort in a low-resource setting.

Results of Cervical Cancer Screening in the Rural Population of Lucknow West, India, through a Camp Approach

OBJECTIVE

Cytological screening was carried out in rural women of Lucknow West, India, through a camp approach to detect cervical cancer in its preinvasive phase and to see whether the primitive living conditions in the villages have any effect on the incidence of precancer and carcinoma of the cervix and the associated predisposing factors of cervical carcinogenesis.

STUDY DESIGN

During a span of 4 years (May 2013 to March 2017), a total of 135 camps were organized under the auspice of Era's Lucknow Medical College and Hospital (Lucknow, India). Only 4,269 (31.2%) out of 13,500 women who were motivated and counseled attended the camp and 2,369 (55.1%) of them underwent a Pap smear examination.

RESULTS

The incidence of squamous intraepithelial lesions of the cervix (SIL) was found to be very high (18.2%) in the 2,369 women who were screened, but the majority of them were of a low grade. The SIL incidence was very high for all predisposing factors like gynaecological symptoms, age, and clinical lesions of the cervix. However, the SIL rate showed a rise with increasing parity. Candida albicans was more common in rural women (4.7%) than Trichomonas vaginalis (1.1%), and a low incidence of viral sexually transmitted diseases (STD) was seen.

CONCLUSIONS

Organizing camps in the villages through proper counseling and motivation may help in the screening of larger numbers of women for early detection of cervical cancer, the adequate treatment of which will check the progression of the disease and thus minimize the incidence of carcinoma of the cervix and its associated mortality in the rural population of India.

Evaluation of human-papillomavirus testing and visual inspection for cervical cancer screening in Rwanda

BACKGROUND

A pilot screening campaign in Rwanda, based on careHPV-testing followed by visual inspection with acetic acid triage (careHPV+VIA triage), was evaluated against other WHO-recommended screening options, namely HPV screen-and-treat and VIA screen-and-treat.

METHODS

764 women aged 30-69 underwent at visit 1: i) VIA, and cervical cell collection for ii) careHPV in Rwanda, and iii) liquid-based cytology and GP5+/6+ HR-HPV PCR in The Netherlands. All 177 women positive by VIA, careHPV and/or PCR were recalled, of whom 84% attended. At visit 2, VIA was again used to triage screen-positive women for treatment and to obtain biopsies from all women either from visible lesions or at 12 o'clock of the squamocolumnar junction. Cross-sectional screening indices were estimated primarily against histological high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions or worse (hHSIL+), after imputation of missing histology data, based on 1-visit or 2-visit approaches.

RESULTS

In a 1-visit screen-and-treat approach, VIA had sensitivity and specificity of 41% and 96%, respectively, versus 71% and 88% for careHPV, and 88% and 86% for PCR. In a 2-visit approach (in which hHSIL+ imputed among women without visit 2 were considered untreated) careHPV sensitivity dropped to 59% due to loss of 13% of hHSIL+. For careHPV+VIA triage, sensitivity dropped further to 35%, as another 24% of hHSIL+ were triaged to no treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

CareHPV was not as sensitive as gold-standard PCR, but detected considerably more hHSIL+ than VIA. However, due to careHPV-positive hHSIL+ women being lost to follow-up and/or triaged to no treatment, 2-visit careHPV+VIA triage did not perform better than VIA screen-and-treat.

Advancing prevention of sexually transmitted infections through point-of-care testing: target product profiles and landscape analysis

OBJECTIVES

Advancing the field of point-of-care testing (POCT) for STIs can rapidly and substantially improve STI control and prevention by providing targeted, essential STI services (case detection and screening). POCT enables definitive diagnosis and appropriate treatment in a single visit and home and community-based testing.

METHODS

Since 2014, the WHO Department of Reproductive Health and Research, in collaboration with technical partners, has completed four landscape analyses of promising diagnostics for use at or near the point of patient care to detect syphilis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis and the human papillomavirus. The analyses comprised a literature review and interviews. Two International Technical Consultations on STI POCTs (2014 and 2015) resulted in the development of target product profiles (TPP). Experts in STI microbiology, laboratory diagnostics, clinical management, public health and epidemiology participated in the consultations with representation from all WHO regions.

RESULTS

The landscape analysis identified diagnostic tests that are either available on the market, to be released in the near future or in the pipeline. The TPPs specify 28 analytical and operational characteristics of POCTs for use in different populations for surveillance, screening and case management. None of the tests that were identified in the landscape analysis met all of the targets of the TPPs.

CONCLUSION

More efforts of the global health community are needed to accelerate access to affordable quality-assured STI POCTs, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, by supporting the development of new diagnostic platforms as well as strengthening the validation and implementation of existing diagnostics according to internationally endorsed standards and the best available evidence.

Cytology versus HPV testing for cervical cancer screening in the general population

BACKGROUND

Cervical cancer screening has traditionally been based on cervical cytology. Given the aetiological relationship between human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cervical carcinogenesis, HPV testing has been proposed as an alternative screening test.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the diagnostic accuracy of HPV testing for detecting histologically confirmed cervical intraepithelial neoplasias (CIN) of grade 2 or worse (CIN 2+), including adenocarcinoma in situ, in women participating in primary cervical cancer screening; and how it compares to the accuracy of cytological testing (liquid-based and conventional) at various thresholds.

SEARCH METHODS

We performed a systematic literature search of articles in MEDLINE and Embase (1992 to November 2015) containing quantitative data and handsearched the reference lists of retrieved articles.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included comparative test accuracy studies if all women received both HPV testing and cervical cytology followed by verification of the disease status with the reference standard, if positive for at least one screening test. The studies had to include women participating in a cervical cancer screening programme who were not being followed up for previous cytological abnormalities.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We completed a 2 x 2 table with the number of true positives (TP), false positives (FP), true negatives (TN), and false negatives for each screening test (HPV test and cytology) used in each study. We calculated the absolute and relative sensitivities and the specificities of the tests for the detection of CIN 2+ and CIN 3+ at various thresholds and computed sensitivity (TP/(TP + TN) and specificity (TN/ (TN + FP) for each test separately. Relative sensitivity and specificity of one test compared to another test were defined as sensitivity of test-1 over sensitivity of test-2 and specificity of test-1 over specificity of test-2, respectively. To assess bias in the studies, we used the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic test Accuracy Studies (QUADAS) tool. We used a bivariate random-effects model for computing pooled accuracy estimates. This model takes into account the within- and between-study variability and the intrinsic correlation between sensitivity and specificity.

MAIN RESULTS

We included a total of 40 studies in the review, with more than 140,000 women aged between 20 and 70 years old. Many studies were at low risk of bias. There were a sufficient number of included studies with adequate methodology to perform the following test comparisons: hybrid capture 2 (HC2) (1 pg/mL threshold) versus conventional cytology (CC) (atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS)+ and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL)+ thresholds) or liquid-based cytology (LBC) (ASCUS+ and LSIL+ thresholds), other high-risk HPV tests versus conventional cytology (ASCUS+ and LSIL+ thresholds) or LBC (ASCUS+ and LSIL+ thresholds). For CIN 2+, pooled sensitivity estimates for HC2, CC and LBC (ASCUS+) were 89.9%, 62.5% and 72.9%, respectively, and pooled specificity estimates were 89.9%, 96.6%, and 90.3%, respectively. The results did not differ by age of women (less than or greater than 30 years old), or in studies with verification bias. Accuracy of HC2 was, however, greater in European countries compared to other countries. The results for the sensitivity of the tests were heterogeneous ranging from 52% to 94% for LBC, and 61% to 100% for HC2. Overall, the quality of the evidence for the sensitivity of the tests was moderate, and high for the specificity.The relative sensitivity of HC2 versus CC for CIN 2+ was 1.52 (95% CI: 1.24 to 1.86) and the relative specificity 0.94 (95% CI: 0.92 to 0.96), and versus LBC for CIN 2+ was 1.18 (95% CI: 1.10 to 1.26) and the relative specificity 0.96 (95% CI: 0.95 to 0.97). The relative sensitivity of HC2 versus CC for CIN 3+ was 1.46 (95% CI: 1.12 to 1.91) and the relative specificity 0.95 (95% CI: 0.93 to 0.97). The relative sensitivity of HC2 versus LBC for CIN 3+ was 1.17 (95% CI: 1.07 to 1.28) and the relative specificity 0.96 (95% CI: 0.95 to 0.97).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Whilst HPV tests are less likely to miss cases of CIN 2+ and CIN 3+, these tests do lead to more unnecessary referrals. However, a negative HPV test is more reassuring than a negative cytological test, as the cytological test has a greater chance of being falsely negative, which could lead to delays in receiving the appropriate treatment. Evidence from prospective longitudinal studies is needed to establish the relative clinical implications of these tests.

Diagnostic Value of the CareTM HPV Test in Screening for Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia Grade 2 or Worse

Background:

Cervical cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide. Persistent infection with a high risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) is the main etiological factor, so that early early detection of HR-HPV is very important. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of Care™ HPV, a new method, as compared with Pap smear, PCR, and biopsy for screening purposes.

Material and Method:

In this cross-sectional study, 200 sexually active women aging from 25-50 years referred to the oncology clinic of Shahid Sodoughi Yazd Hospital in 2015 with a variety of cervix epithelial lesions or a need for colposcopy were enrolled. Results for Care™ HPV test (cervical), Pap smear, PCR, and biopsy were analyzed using SPSS 15 software and chi-square test, McNemar, and ROC curve analysis. Qualitative variables were compared using a Chi-square test.

Results:

Care™ HPV test sensitivity in detecting cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade II (CIN-II) and also positive and negative predictive values were higher as compared to with other tests (p<0.05). The Pap smear test specificity was highest. There was no significant differences between Care™ HPV and PCR tests regarding detection of HPV-DNA in cases of CIN-II and worse (p>0.05).

Conclusion:

The Care™ HPV test has high sensitivity and predictive values for detecting HPV infection, with higher efficacy than the Pap smear test for tracking CIN-II. Therefore it may be recommended for use as a screening test in low-income areas.

Performance of careHPV for detecting high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia among women living with HIV-1 in Burkina Faso and South Africa: HARP study

Background:

The careHPV assay is a test for high-risk (HR) human papillomaviruses (HPV) detection designed to be affordable in resource-poor settings. We evaluated the performance of careHPV screening among 1052 women living with HIV/AIDS included in the HARP (HPV in Africa Research Partnership) study in Burkina Faso (BF) and South Africa (SA).

Methods:

Cervical samples were tested for HR-HPV by the careHPV and the INNO-LiPA HPV genotyping Extra assays. All women had Pap smear testing, visual inspection with acetic acid/Lugol's iodine (VIA/VILI) and colposcopy. Cervical biopsies were obtained for participants who were HR-HPV DNA positive by careHPV or who had abnormalities detected on cytology, VIA/VILI or colposcopy.

Results:

Overall, 45.1% of women had a positive careHPV test (46.5% in BF, 43.8% in SA). The careHPV positivity rate increased with the grade of cytological lesions. Sensitivity and specificity of careHPV for the diagnosis of CIN2+ (n=60, both countries combined) were 93.3% (95% confidence interval (CI): 83.8–98.2) and 57.9% (95% CI: 54.5–61.2), respectively. Specificity increased with CD4 count. careHPV had a similar clinical sensitivity but higher specificity than the INNO-LiPA assay for detection of CIN2+.

Conclusions:

Our results suggest that careHPV testing is a reliable tool for cervical cancer screening in HIV-1-infected women in sub-Saharan Africa.

Performance of alternative strategies for primary cervical cancer screening in sub-Saharan Africa: systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy studies

OBJECTIVE

To assess and compare the accuracy of visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA), visual inspection with Lugol's iodine (VILI), and human papillomavirus (HPV) testing as alternative standalone methods for primary cervical cancer screening in sub-Saharan Africa.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy studies.

DATA SOURCES

Systematic searches of multiple databases including Medline, Embase, and Scopus for studies published between January 1994 and June 2014.

REVIEW METHODS

Inclusion criteria for studies were: alternative methods to cytology used as a standalone test for primary screening; study population not at particular risk of cervical cancer (excluding studies focusing on HIV positive women or women with gynaecological symptoms); women screened by nurses; reference test (colposcopy and directed biopsies) performed at least in women with positive screening results. Two reviewers independently screened studies for eligibility and extracted data for inclusion, and evaluated study quality using the quality assessment of diagnostic accuracy studies 2 (QUADAS-2) checklist. Primary outcomes were absolute accuracy measures (sensitivity and specificity) of screening tests to detect cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN2+).

RESULTS

15 studies of moderate quality were included (n=61,381 for VIA, n=46,435 for VILI, n=11,322 for HPV testing). Prevalence of CIN2+ did not vary by screening test and ranged from 2.3% (95% confidence interval 1.5% to 3.3%) in VILI studies to 4.9% (2.7% to 7.8%) in HPV testing studies. Positivity rates of VILI, VIA, and HPV testing were 16.5% (9.8% to 24.7%), 16.8% (11.0% to 23.6%), and 25.8% (17.4% to 35.3%), respectively. Pooled sensitivity was higher for VILI (95.1%; 90.1% to 97.7%) than VIA (82.4%; 76.3% to 87.3%) in studies where the reference test was performed in all women (P<0.001). Pooled specificity of VILI and VIA were similar (87.2% (78.1% to 92.8%) v 87.4% (77.1% to 93.4%); P=0.85). Pooled sensitivity and specificity were similar for HPV testing versus VIA (both P ≥ 0.23) and versus VILI (both P ≥ 0.16). Accuracy of VIA and VILI increased with sample size and time period.

CONCLUSIONS

For primary screening of cervical cancer in sub-Saharan Africa, VILI is a simple and affordable alternative to cytology that demonstrates higher sensitivity than VIA. Implementation studies are needed to assess the effect of these screening strategies on the incidence and outcomes of cervical cancer in the region.

Effectiveness of a two-stage strategy with HPV testing followed by visual inspection with acetic acid for cervical cancer screening in a low-income setting

The World Health Organization recently advocated a two-stage strategy with human papillomavirus (HPV) testing followed by visual inspection of the cervix with acetic acid (VIA) as a suitable option for cervical cancer screening. However, its accuracy has never been directly assessed in the context of primary screening. To evaluate effectiveness of HPV testing on self-obtained specimens (self-HPV) followed by VIA (sequential testing) in a low-income setting, we recruited 540 women aged between 30 and 65 years in two Cameroonian periurban areas. Eligible women were counseled about cervical cancer and how to perform self-sampling. HPV positive and a random sample of HPV-negative women were called back for VIA and biopsy. Disease was defined by interpretation of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia Grade 2 or worse (CIN2+). Performances of VIA, self-HPV and sequential testing were determined after adjustment for verification bias. HPV prevalence was 27.0%. VIA positivity was 12.9% and disease prevalence was 5%. Sensitivity and specificity of VIA for CIN2+ were 36.4% [95% confidence interval (CI): 15.2-64.6%] and 90.4% (95% CI: 85.4-93.7%), respectively. Sensitivity of self-HPV [100.0% (95% CI: 79.6-100.0%)] was 66% higher than that of sequential testing [33.3% (95% CI: 15.2-58.3%)]. Meanwhile, specificity of self-HPV [74.5% (95% CI: 70.6-78.1%)] was 22% lower than that of sequential testing [96.7% (95% CI: 94.8-97.9%)]. A two-stage screening strategy with self-HPV followed by VIA improves specificity of cervical cancer screening, but at the cost of an important loss of sensitivity. Ways to improve VIA performance or other tools are needed to increase positive predictive value of HPV testing.