Cited by 158Cervical Cancer and HPV ResearchWomen's cancer prevention and managementReproductive tract infections research

Performance of high-risk human papillomavirus DNA testing as a primary screen for cervical cancer: a pooled analysis of individual patient data from 17 population-based studies from China

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Zhao, Fang-Hui, Lin, Margaret Jane, Chen, Feng, Hu, Shang-Ying, Zhang, Rong, Belinson, Jerome L, Sellors, John W, Franceschi, Silvia +2 more·2010·The Lancet Oncology

Abstract

Background Controversy remains over whether high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing should be used as a primary screen for cervical cancer. The aims of our study were to assess whether HPV DNA testing could be applied to cervical-cancer screening programmes in China, as well as other similar developing countries. Methods We did a pooled analysis of population-based cervical cancer screening studies done in mainland China from 1999 to 2008 with concurrent HPV DNA testing (Hybrid Capture 2 assay; Qiagen, Gaithersburg, MD, USA), liquid-based cytology (LBC), and visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA). Eligible women were sexually active, not pregnant, had an intact uterus, and had no history of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), cervical cancer, or pelvic irradiation. All women positive for any test were referred for colposcopy and biopsy. Cervical lesions were diagnosed by directed or random biopsy. We assessed the diagnostic accuracy of HPV DNA testing for the detection of CIN grade 3 or greater. Findings 30,371 women from 17 cross-sectional, population-based studies in various parts of China were screened. 1523 women were subsequently excluded because of inadequate HPV DNA specimens or they did not have a biopsy taken, which included women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance; low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion or worse; positive HPV, negative cytology, and missing or positive colposcopy results; and unsatisfactory cytology results. HPV DNA testing had a higher sensitivity of 97·5% (95% CI 95·7-98·7) for detection of CIN grade 3 or worse, and a lower specificity of 85·1% (82·3-87·9), compared with cytology (sensitivity 87·9% [95% CI 84·7-90·7], specificity 94·7% [93·5-96·0]) and VIA (54·6% [48·0-61·2], 89·9% [86·8-93·0]). Sensitivity did not vary by study or age (<35 years, 35-49 years, ≥50 years); however, specificity did vary with age (p<0·0001) and was highest in women younger than 35 years (89·4%; 95% CI 86·1-91·5). An increase in the positive cutoff point from the manufacturer recommended 1 pg/mL to 2 pg/mL led to a decrease in the overall HPV DNA positivity from 16·3% to 13·9% (p<0·0001), which could result in a decrease in referral rates, although sensitivity was slightly lower (97·5% to 95·2%). An increase in the cutoff point to 10 pg/mL in women younger than 35 years maintained a high sensitivity 97·7% (95% CI 87·7-99·9) and increased specificity to 93·5% (95% CI 91·9-94·6). Interpretation HPV DNA testing is highly sensitive and moderately specific for CIN grade 3 or worse, with consistent results across study sites and age groups-including women younger than 35 years. A rise in the cutoff point might be beneficial for future screening programmes in China, especially when screening women younger than 35 years.

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  1. [2]International Agency for Research on Cancer Chapter 2: screening tests IARC handbooks of cancer prevention: cervix cancer screening 10 Lyon IARC Press 2005 59 115
  2. [3]International Agency for Research on Cancer IARC monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans, vol 90: human papillomaviruses Lyon IARC Press 2007

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Authors
Zhao, F.-H., Lin, M. J., Chen, F., Hu, S.-Y., Zhang, R., Belinson, J. L., Sellors, J. W., Franceschi, S., Qiao, Y.-L., & Castle, P. E.
Affiliations
  • Washington University in St. Louis (US)
  • Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CN)
  • Cleveland Clinic (US)
  • McMaster University (CA)
  • Centre international de recherche sur le cancer (FR)
  • National Institutes of Health (US)
Corresponding author
Qiao, You-Lin
Venue
The Lancet Oncology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2010-12
Volume
11
Issue
12
Pages
1160-1171
ISSN
1470-2045 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2108319301
Cited by
158
References
43
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 19 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 17 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 17 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 9
FWCI
6.99
Type
journal article
Language
en
Update notices
erratum (2011-01-01)
Open access
Locations
  • The Lancet Oncology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
Fogarty International Center (R24TW007988)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Cervical Cancer and HPV Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Women's cancer prevention and management
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Microbiology › Reproductive tract infections research
Keywords
high-risk HPV, HPV testing, cervical cancer screening, primary screening, Hybrid Capture 2, liquid-based cytology, visual inspection with acetic acid, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity and specificity, China, developing countries, colposcopy referral, cost-effectiveness
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Uterine Cervical Neoplasms, China, Female, Humans, Mass Screening, Middle Aged, Predictive Value of Tests, Sensitivity and Specificity, DNA Probes, HPV, Papillomaviridae, Early Detection of Cancer

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