HPV mRNA testing in cervical cancer screening

We read with interest the work synthesising the evidence on mRNA-based human papillomavirus (HPV) tests for the detection of cancer precursors in cervical screening by Marc Arbyn and colleagues. 1 Arbyn M Simon M de Sanjosé S et al. Accuracy and effectiveness of HPV mRNA testing in cervical cancer screening: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Oncol. 2022; 23: 950-960 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (3) Google Scholar The authors compiled the evidence on the longitudinal risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia of grade 3 or worse (CIN3+), which is important for defining the correct screening interval for women with negative test results on HPV mRNA assays such as APTIMA. HPV mRNA testing in cervical cancer screening – Authors' replyWe thank Paolo Giorgi Rossi and Matejka Rebolj for their comments on our meta-analysis regarding the performance of high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) mRNA testing in cervical cancer screening.1 They point to new data on screening with APTIMA HPV2,3 published after the inclusion period of our meta-analysis. Full-Text PDF Accuracy and effectiveness of HPV mRNA testing in cervical cancer screening: a systematic review and meta-analysisHrHPV RNA testing with APTIMA had similar cross-sectional sensitivity for CIN2+ and CIN3+ and slightly higher specificity than DNA tests. Four studies with 4–7 years of follow-up showed heterogeneous safety outcomes. One study with up to 10 years of follow-up showed no differences in cumulative detection of CIN3+ after negative mRNA versus DNA screening. APTIMA could be accepted for primary cervical cancer screening on clinician-collected cervical samples at intervals of around 5 years. APTIMA is less sensitive on self-collected samples than clinician-collected samples. Full-Text PDF