Adyar Institute explores HPV molecular testing's impact on cervical cancer screening in South India

Dr.  VijayalakshmiRamshankar, from the Department of Preventive Oncology at the Cancer Institute (WIA), conducted a study involving 10,395 women who were administered HPV DNA tests. 
The study showed the need for a high throughput technology for cervical cancer that can be scalable. 
The Cobas 4800, a multiplexed assay based on quantitative polymerase chain reaction technology, was used to test 10,375 women from the South Indian community for the first time as a feasibility program. 
Upon testing, high-risk HPV was found in 5.73% of the women, with a total of 127 women (1.2%) infected with HPV 16, 36 women (0.34%) with HPV 18, and 382 women (3.68%) with the 12 pooled high-risk HPV infections. 
Multiple mixed infections were found in 50 women (0.48%).
The study found that 24/50 (48%) of the multiple mixed high-risk HPV infections were in the age group 46-50 years. 
The high negative predictive value of the Cobas HPV can help increase screening efficiency, identifying only clinically relevant infections with high-risk HPV, with effective cost reduction eliminating unnecessary further intervention in nearly 94% of the women. 
The effectiveness of a single round of HPV testing is attributable to a significant decline in the rate of advanced cervical cancers and associated mortality compared to the unscreened group in India.
Dr. SandeepSewlikar, from the WHO, emphasized the importance of a holistic program that covers public awareness, vaccination (9-14 years), and screening women for cervical cancer using the WHO recommended clinically validated HPV test. 
The integration of HPV testing into the comprehensive screening program signifies a significant leap forward, enhancing the ability to identify individuals at high risk in the early stages and equipping healthcare providers with reliable data to combat this preventable cancer more effectively.
Dr. JayashreeNatarajan, Assistant Professor in Gynecological Oncology at the Cancer Institute (WIA) in Adyar, Chennai, emphasized the need for a comprehensive and multifaceted strategy to eradicate cervical cancer. 
By incorporating comprehensive vaccination programs alongside robust screening processes and treating the already infected, the cancer institute can strive for a holistic solution that reaches every corner of the nation.