We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
INTEGRA BIOSCIENCES AG

Download Mobile App




Novel Test Detects Cervical Cancer Earlier than Traditional Screening Methods

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 27 Sep 2023
Print article
Image: The epiCervix test can detect cervical cancer at its earliest stages by looking at changes in four specific genes (Photo courtesy of 123RF)
Image: The epiCervix test can detect cervical cancer at its earliest stages by looking at changes in four specific genes (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Cervical cancer is the fourth most frequent cancer affecting women worldwide. In 2020, the disease was responsible for roughly 604,000 new cases and 342,000 fatalities. The World Health Organization recommends that women undergo regular screenings using highly effective tests. Early detection can lead to immediate surgical intervention, sparing women from added medical procedures, stress, and financial burden. When detected in its initial stages, cervical cancer has a 93% survival rate, which drops to 15% if the disease progresses. Now, a new test has the potential to revolutionize cervical cancer screening, promising better outcomes and survival rates for patients.

HKG Epitherapeutics’ (Hong Kong, PRC) proprietary epiCervix test has proven more effective at early-stage cervical cancer detection than traditional methods like Pap smears and HPV tests. Instead of relying on a cytopathologist's subjective judgment in examining cells, the epiCervix test utilizes a DNA methylation technique to analyze changes in four specific genes (CA10, DPP10, FMN2, and HAS1). This results in a more objective and precise diagnosis, crucial for early intervention.

A recent study involving 800 women showed that the epiCervix test had near-perfect accuracy in identifying both premalignant and malignant cells, even in cases that went undetected by conventional screening methods. The test was particularly successful in identifying high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in women who had undergone colposcopies due to abnormal Pap smear results. These are precancerous lesions that can develop into full-blown cervical cancer if not treated in time.

"The problem with existing cervical cancer screenings is that they don't always catch malignant cells, and even if a woman has HPV, it doesn't mean that she has cancer. HKG's test gives doctors and patients a much earlier warning system than what is in use today. The earlier the detection, the greater the chances are for survival," said Prof. Moshe Szyf, HKG Epitherapeutics CEO. "Since HKG's epiCervix test is more sensitive than traditional screens, it can find cancer DNA among cells that look noncancerous, enabling doctors to more accurately identify patients who need further testing for cervical cancer. The results from this study have the potential to transform the global cervical cancer screening market through offering a more effective, less invasive and cost-efficient solution. Through integrating epiCervix into the current screening process, we can make cervical cancer no different for women than needing to get a tooth extracted."

Related Links:
HKG Epitherapeutics 

Gold Member
Troponin T QC
Troponin T Quality Control
Verification Panels for Assay Development & QC
Seroconversion Panels
New
Calprotectin Assay
Fecal Calprotectin ELISA
New
Cytomegalovirus Test
NovaLisa Cytomegalovirus (CMV) IgG Test

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Professor Nicole Strittmatter (left) and first author Wei Chen stand in front of the mass spectrometer with a tissue sample (Photo courtesy of Robert Reich/TUM)

Mass Spectrometry Detects Bacteria Without Time-Consuming Isolation and Multiplication

Speed and accuracy are essential when diagnosing diseases. Traditionally, diagnosing bacterial infections involves the labor-intensive process of isolating pathogens and cultivating bacterial cultures,... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The cancer stem cell test can accurately choose more effective treatments (Photo courtesy of University of Cincinnati)

Stem Cell Test Predicts Treatment Outcome for Patients with Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer

Epithelial ovarian cancer frequently responds to chemotherapy initially, but eventually, the tumor develops resistance to the therapy, leading to regrowth. This resistance is partially due to the activation... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: The new algorithms can help predict which patients have undiagnosed cancer (Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock)

Advanced Predictive Algorithms Identify Patients Having Undiagnosed Cancer

Two newly developed advanced predictive algorithms leverage a person’s health conditions and basic blood test results to accurately predict the likelihood of having an undiagnosed cancer, including ch... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: The collaboration aims to leverage Oxford Nanopore\'s sequencing platform and Cepheid\'s GeneXpert system to advance the field of sequencing for infectious diseases (Photo courtesy of Cepheid)

Cepheid and Oxford Nanopore Technologies Partner on Advancing Automated Sequencing-Based Solutions

Cepheid (Sunnyvale, CA, USA), a leading molecular diagnostics company, and Oxford Nanopore Technologies (Oxford, UK), the company behind a new generation of sequencing-based molecular analysis technologies,... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.