HPV mRNA Testing in Triage of Women with ASC-US Cytology May Reduce the Time for CIN2+ Diagnosis Compared with Repeat Cytology

Sveinung      Wergeland Sorbye; Silje      Fismen; Tore      Jarl Gutteberg; Elin      Synnøve Mortensen; Finn      Egil Skjeldestad

doi:10.2174/1381612811319080006

Abstract

Background: In delayed HPV triage women with atypical squamous cells of uncertain significance (ASC-US) cytology are retested after 6-12 months in order to decide whether they should be referred for colposcopy, further follow-up cytology or routine screening in three years. Triage using a specific HPV E6/E7 mRNA test may reduce referrals for colposcopy of women with ASC-US cytology compared to HPV DNA testing. We explored whether HPV mRNA triaging could reduce the time from ASC-US index cytology to biopsy compared with repeat cytology, and whether the positive predictive value (PPV) of the HPV mRNA test for high grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2+) was comparable with the PPV of repeat cytology.

Material and methods: We used repeat cytology and the HPV mRNA test PreTect HPV-Proofer, which detects E6/E7 mRNA from HPV subtypes 16, 18, 31, 33 and 45, in the triage of women with ASC-US. We included all women from the two northernmost counties of Norway with a first ASC-US cytology during the period 2004-2008. Two triage methods were evaluated 1) only repeat cytology (n=964) and 2) both HPV mRNA testing and cytology (n=542). Histologically confirmed CIN2+ was the study endpoint.

Results: Among 1506 women with an ASC-US index cytology, 59 women (3.9%) had biopsy taken, of whom 49 women had CIN2+ (PPV 83.1%). The mean time from index ASC-US cytology until the case was resolved (biopsy or return to screening) was 10.6 months in the repeat cytology group and 7.3 months in the HPV group (P<0.001). Of the 964 women in the group with repeat cytology only, 35 women (3.6%) had biopsy and 30 had CIN2+ (PPV 85.7%). Of the 542 women in the group with both HPV test and cytology, 24 women (4.4%) had biopsy and 19 had CIN2+ (PPV 79.2%).

Conclusion: In triage of women with ASC-US, the HPV mRNA test significantly reduced the time from the first abnormal cytology until biopsy and had predictive values comparable with those of repeat cytology.

Keywords: Cervical cancer, screening, triage, repeat cytology, HPV, HPV testing, HPV DNA, HPV mRNA, ASC-US, LSIL, HSIL, dysplasia, minor cervical lesions, CIN, CIN2, CIN2+, cytology, biopsy, pathology, gynecology, PAP-test, PAP-smear, LBC, liquid based cytology