Opportunities to improve the prevention and treatment of cervical cancer

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a causal agent for approximately 5.3% of cancers worldwide, including cervical cancer, and subsets of genital and head and neck cancer. Persistent HPV infection is a necessary, but not sufficient, cause of cervical cancer. Of the >100 HPV genotypes, only about a dozen, termed "high-risk", are associated with cancer. HPV-16 is present in approximately 50% of all cervical cancers and HPV-16, HPV-18, HPV-31 and HPV-45 together account for approximately 80%. Most high-risk HPV infections are subclinical, and are cleared by the host's immune system. The remainder produces low or high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs), also called cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), which also may regress spontaneously. However persistent high grade SIL represents the precursor lesion of cervical cancer and carcinogenic progression is associated with integration of the viral DNA, loss of E2 and upregulation of viral oncogene expression, and chromosomal rearrangements like 3q gain. Cytologic screening of the cervix for SIL and intervention has reduced the incidence of cervical cancer in the US by an estimated 80% and HPV viral DNA and other molecular tests may improve screening further. The licensure of a preventive HPV vaccine ushers in a new era, but issues remain, including: protection restricted to a few oncogenic HPV types, access in low resource settings and impact on current cytologic screening protocols. Importantly, preventive HPV vaccination does not help with current HPV infection or disease. Here we examine the potential of second-generation preventive HPV vaccines and therapeutic HPV vaccination to address these outstanding issues.     

The early detection of cervical cancer. The current and changing landscape of cervical disease detection

Cervical cancer prevention has undergone dramatic changes over the past decade. With the introduction of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, some countries have seen a dramatic decline in HPV‐mediated cervical disease. However, widespread implementation has been limited by economic considerations and the varying healthcare priorities of different countries, as well as by vaccine availability and, in some instances, vaccine hesitancy amongst the population/government. In this environment, it is clear that cervical screening will retain a critical role in the prevention of cervical cancer and will in due course need to adapt to the changing incidence of HPV‐associated neoplasia. Cervical screening has, for many years, been performed using Papanicolaou staining of cytology samples. As our understanding of the role of HPV in cervical cancer progression has advanced, and with the availability of sensitive detection systems, cervical screening now incorporates HPV testing. Although such tests improve disease detection, they are not specific, and cannot discriminate high‐grade from low‐grade disease. This has necessitated the development of effective triage approaches to stratify HPV‐positive women according to their risk of cancer progression. Although cytology triage remains the mainstay of screening, novel strategies under evaluation include DNA methylation, biomarker detection and the incorporation of artificial intelligence systems to detect cervical abnormalities. These tests, which can be partially anchored in a molecular understanding of HPV pathogenesis, will enhance the sensitivity of disease detection and improve patient outcomes. This review will provide insight on these innovative methodologies while explaining their scientific basis drawing from our understanding of HPV tumour biology.     

Age trends in pre‐cancerous and cancerous lesions of the uterine cervix in a cytology screening programme: what should be the target age group for a major thrust of screening in resource‐limited settings?

Objective:  To identify the target age group where screening efforts may be concentrated in order to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer in resource-limited countries.
Study design:  The results of cyto-screening in a hospital-based screening programme for early detection of cervical cancer were analysed retrospectively. The frequency of epithelial cell abnormalities (ECAs) was computed in different age groups.
Observations and results:  A total of 5.6% ECAs were detected on cyto-screening. The peak age incidence for squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs) was in the 30–39 age group while that for malignancies was age >60 years. The mean ages for LSIL, HSIL and cancer were 34.7, 37.7 and 51.8 years respectively. Around 43% LSILs and 48% HSILs presented in the fourth decade. If both fourth and fifth decade are covered by screening we could detect almost two-thirds of SILs.
Conclusions:  A distinct latent period of more than a decade between the onset of SIL and development of frank cancer provides us with ample opportunity to prevent cervical cancer through screening. Our data validate the WHO recommendation of once in a lifetime screening of women in their fourth decade, for low-resource settings. If resources permit, screening can be extended to include women in the fifth decade. This approach would enable us to pick up maximum SILs within the available resources and prevent their progression to cancer.     

HPV分型及其高危亚型与宫颈病变的关系

目的研究HPV分型及其高危亚型与宫颈病变程度的关系。方法采用HPV基因分型技术对2014年7月至2015年8月在广州中医药大学第一附属医院妇科门诊就诊和体检的3 142例患者进行HPV分型检测,其中327例患者进行宫颈病理检查,分析高危型HPV感染与宫颈病变程度的关系。结果 3 142例受检对象中,21种HPV型别均被检测出,阳性检出者共969例,总检出率为30.80%,其中高危型741例,检出率为23.58%。随着宫颈病变级别的升高,高危型HPV阳性率也相应升高(P0.05),HPV16型感染阳性者宫颈癌发生率最高(P0.05)。高危型HPV阳性者中单一感染和多重感染与宫颈病变程度无关(P0.05)。结论高危型HPV亚型检测在宫颈病变预防和诊治中具有重要意义。     

HPV technologies advancing public health: discussion of recent evidence

Effective primary and secondary cancer prevention programmes are key to improve public health. Cervical cancer is preventable if high quality screening programmes, diagnosis and treatment are offered to female populations at high coverage. Nevertheless, it continues to be a public health problem, and screening programmes need improvements. Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been firmely established as the necessary cause of virtually all cervical cancer cases. To date we count two clinically validated and approved HPV technologies, available to prevent cervical cancer, and other diseases caused by these carcinogenic viruses: Prophylactic vaccines for primary prevention, and HPV DNA tests for secondary prevention, to detect life threatening infections by carcinogenic HPV types, allowing timely diagnosis and clinical management of precancerous lesions. The new technologies will help improve the health of the public if made widely accessible. Similar to vaccination programmes, systematic and well organized cervical screening programmes, with high quality validated HPV tests, can save more lives than ever and improve women's health, in an effective manner.     

HPV感染与宫颈癌预防的研究进展

宫颈癌在全球范围内依然是严重威胁妇女健康的常见恶性肿瘤之一。流行病学调查显示,高危型HPV持续感染是导致宫颈癌发病的主要原因,并且HPV感染具有显著的特点,因此,预防HPV感染是防治宫颈癌的主要途径。已明确性行为是促进HPV感染最重要的辅助因子,个体免疫力低下及年龄因素亦是促进HPV感染的重要因素。研究显示,在全球逐渐开展的预防措施包括对常见的高风险HPV类型进行预防性疫苗接种及包括HPV检测在内的宫颈癌筛查项目的实施已经在降低宫颈癌的发病率方面起到了很重要的作用。近些年来,人们越来越重视HPV检测在宫颈癌筛查程序中的应用。由于HPV的感染率具有显著的地域性差异,我们需要针对各地区的特点以完善相应的宫颈癌筛查程序,从而为宫颈癌防治工作的开展提供重要依据。     

Effectiveness of VIA, Pap, and HPV DNA testing in a cervical cancer screening program in a peri-urban community in Andhra Pradesh, India

Background

While many studies have compared the efficacy of Pap cytology, visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA assays for the detection cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cancer, few have evaluated the program effectiveness.

Methods and Findings

A population-based sample of 5603 women from Medchal Mandal in Andhra Pradesh, India were invited to participate in a study comparing Pap cytology, VIA, and HPV DNA screening for the detection of CIN3+. Participation in primary screening and all subsequent follow-up visits was rigorously tracked. A 20% random sample of all women screened, in addition to all women with a positive screening test result underwent colposcopy with directed biopsy for final diagnosis. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were adjusted for verification bias. HPV testing had a higher sensitivity (100%) and specificity (90.6%) compared to Pap cytology (sensitivity  =  78.2%; specificity = 86.0%) and VIA (sensitivity = 31.6%; specificity = 87.5%). Since 58% of the sample refused involvement and another 28% refused colposcopy or biopsy, we estimated that potentially 87.6% of the total underlying cases of CIN3 and cancer may have been missed due to program failures.

Conclusions

We conclude that despite our use of available resources, infrastructure, and guidelines for cervical cancer screening implementation in resource limited areas, community participation and non-compliance remain the major obstacles to successful reduction in cervical cancer mortality in this Indian population. HPV DNA testing was both more sensitive and specific than Pap cytology and VIA. The use of a less invasive and more user-friendly primary screening strategy (such as self-collected swabs for HPV DNA testing) may be required to achieve the coverage necessary for effective reduction in cervical cancer mortality.     

Cost of Preventing,Managing, and Treating Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-Related Diseases in Sweden before the Introduction of Quadrivalent HPV Vaccination

Objective

Costs associated with HPV-related diseases such as cervical dysplasia, cervical cancer, and genital warts have not been evaluated in Sweden. These costs must be estimated in order to determine the potential savings if these diseases were eradicated and to assess the combined cost-effectiveness of HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening. The present study aimed to estimate prevention, management, and treatment costs associated with cervical dysplasia, cervical cancer, and genital warts from a societal perspective in Sweden in 2009, 1 year before the quadrivalent HPV vaccination program was implemented.

Methods and Materials

Data from the Swedish cervical cancer screening program was used to calculate the costs associated with prevention (cytological cervical cancer screening), management (colposcopy and biopsy following inadequate/abnormal cytological results), and treatment of CIN. Swedish official statistics were used to estimate treatment costs associated with cervical cancer. Published epidemiological data were used to estimate the number of incident, recurrent, and persistent cases of genital warts; a clinical expert panel assessed management and treatment procedures. Estimated visits, procedures, and use of medications were used to calculate the annual cost associated with genital warts.

Results

From a societal perspective, total estimated costs associated with cervical cancer and genital warts in 2009 were €106.6 million, of which €81.4 million (76%) were direct medical costs. Costs associated with prevention, management, and treatment of CIN were €74 million; screening and management costs for women with normal and inadequate cytology alone accounted for 76% of this sum. The treatment costs associated with incident and prevalent cervical cancer and palliative care were €23 million. Estimated costs for incident, recurrent and persistent cases of genital warts were €9.8 million.

Conclusion

Prevention, management, and treatment costs associated with cervical dysplasia, cervical cancer, and genital warts are substantial. Defining these costs is important for future cost-effectiveness analyses of the quadrivalent HPV vaccination program in Sweden.     

高危型人乳头瘤病毒感染与女性生殖道常见病原菌和宫颈病变的关系

目的:探讨高危型人乳头瘤病毒(HPV)感染与女性生殖道常见病原菌以及宫颈病变的关系。方法:选取2017年1月至2018年6月于成都市妇女儿童中心医院进行宫颈癌筛查的732例妇女为研究对象,所有受试者均行HPV检测、生殖道病原菌检测,判定宫颈病变程度,统计高危型HPV感染及亚型分布特征,分析高危型HPV感染与女性生殖道常见病原菌和宫颈病变的关系。结果:732例妇女HPV感染率为44.95%,高危型HPV占85.11%,HPV-16在高危型HPV中占比最高。生殖道常见病原菌中感染率最高的是沙眼衣原体,感染率为18.99%,存在女性生殖道常见病原菌感染者高危型HPV的检出率高于未感染者(P0.05),而低危型HPV检出率在女性生殖道常见病原菌感染者和未感染者无统计学差异(P0.05)。高危型HPV检出率随着宫颈病变程度加重而升高(P0.05)。结论:高危型HPV感染与女性常见生殖道病原菌感染和宫颈病变程度有关,高危型HPV感染率越高,发生宫颈癌的危险性越大。     

HPV Testing by cobas HPV Test in a Population from Catalonia

Background

HPV testing in cervical cancer screening has been proposed as an alternative or complementary to cytology in women older than 30 years. However, adequate clinical sensitivity and specificity are crucial for a new test to be implemented. Hybrid Capture 2 (HC2) has proved good clinical performance in selecting women at risk for high-grade intraepithelial lesions with a high sensitivity and specificity. cobas HPV Test has been recently launched and its performance in different clinical settings needs to be determined.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the cobas HPV Test for the detection of cervical HPV infection in a population of women in Catalonia (Spain) using HC2 as a reference.

Materials and Methods

Cervical liquid cytology samples from 958 women have been studied. Sensitivity was analyzed in 60 samples from patients with a high-grade intraepithelial lesion (≥CIN2) on histology and specificity was determined in 898 samples from women with no ≥CIN2. All cases had HC2 and cobas HPV Test performed. Statistical analyses of sensitivity, specificity and comparison between HC2 and cobas HPV Test by a non-inferiority test were applied.

Results

Sensitivity of HC2 and cobas HPV Test for detecting ≥CIN2 proved identical (98.3%) while specificity was 85.3% and 86.2% respectively. The non-inferiority test demonstrated that cobas HPV Test surpassed 90% sensitivity and 98% specificity of HC2.

Conclusion

The cobas HPV Test results fulfilled sensitivity and specificity requirements for HPV based cervical cancer screening and for the triage of minor cytological abnormalities, allowing its introduction in clinical settings.     

HPV-DNA 亚型检测联合液基细胞学对宫颈癌 筛查的临床价值

目的:探讨HPV-DNA亚型检测联合液基细胞学对宫颈癌筛查的临床价值.方法:对自愿接受宫颈癌筛查的女性1462例作为研究对象,分别对其进行HPV-DNA亚型检测以及液基细胞学的检查,对于出现阳性的患者进行病理组织学检查.结果:HPV+TCT对宫颈癌早期病变以及癌变的检出率为69.67％明显高于HPV检查的56.28％以及TCT检查的63.89％(P＜0.05);HPV+TCT对GIN Ⅰ、CIN Ⅱ、CINⅢ、癌的检出率分别为91.67％,92.86％、91.67％以及100％.结论:采用HPV-DNA亚型检测联合液基细胞学对宫颈癌筛查,可明显提高其对癌前病变的检出率,是一种高效、简单的检测方法.     

Impact of an Educational Intervention on Women's Knowledge and Acceptability of Human Papillomavirus Self-Sampling: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Cameroon

ObjectiveHuman papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling (Self-HPV) may be used as a primary cervical cancer screening method in a low resource setting. Our aim was to evaluate whether an educational intervention would improve women''s knowledge and confidence in the Self-HPV method.MethodWomen aged between 25 and 65 years old, eligible for cervical cancer screening, were randomly chosen to receive standard information (control group) or standard information followed by educational intervention (interventional group). Standard information included explanations about what the test detects (HPV), the link between HPV and cervical cancer and how to perform HPV self-sampling. The educational intervention consisted of a culturally tailored video about HPV, cervical cancer, Self-HPV and its relevancy as a screening test. All participants completed a questionnaire that assessed sociodemographic data, women''s knowledge about cervical cancer and acceptability of Self-HPV.ResultsA total of 302 women were enrolled in 4 health care centers in Yaoundé and the surrounding countryside. 301 women (149 in the “control group” and 152 in the “intervention group”) completed the full process and were included into the analysis. Participants who received the educational intervention had a significantly higher knowledge about HPV and cervical cancer than the control group (p<0.05), but no significant difference on Self-HPV acceptability and confidence in the method was noticed between the two groups.ConclusionEducational intervention promotes an increase in knowledge about HPV and cervical cancer. Further investigation should be conducted to determine if this intervention can be sustained beyond the short term and influences screening behavior.

Trials Registration

International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN) Register ISRCTN78123709     

人乳头瘤病毒分型检测在宫颈病变中的研究进展

宫颈癌是感染性疾病,HPV感染是宫颈癌发生的主要因素。宫颈上皮内留样病变(CIN)是宫颈浸润癌演变发展过程中的癌前病变阶段,研究发现大多数CIN伴有人乳头瘤病毒(HPV)感染,不同HPV亚型的致病力不同,因此不同亚型的HPV感染可以导致不同的宫颈病变。对CIN早诊、早治是降低宫颈癌发生率和死亡率的关键,临床上应用HPV亚型检测对宫颈病变的初筛及治疗追踪具有重要意义。     

成都市人乳头瘤病毒16型感染与宫颈病变的相关性分析

本研究旨在探讨人乳头瘤病毒(human papillomavirus,HPV)16感染与宫颈病变的关系,为宫颈癌防治提供科学依据。通过核酸杂交法进行HPV感染分型,纳入1 057例HPV阳性且行组织切片病理学检查的患者,对各级别宫颈病变中HPV16构成比、不同年龄组HPV16阳性患者中宫颈上皮内瘤样病变(cervical intraepithelial neoplasia,CIN)Ⅱ及以上病变的患病率,以及HPV16单一与多重感染患者中CINⅡ及以上病变的患病率进行分析。结果显示,在1 057例HPV阳性患者中,352例感染HPV16,CINⅢ中HPV16构成比最高,各级别病变中HPV16构成比差异有统计学意义。随着病变级别增加,HPV16构成比有增高趋势(P0.05)。不同年龄组HPV16阳性患者中CINⅡ及以上病变的患病率差异有统计学意义(P0.05),且随年龄增加而升高(P0.05)。HPV16单一、双重与三重以上感染患者中,CINⅡ及以上病变的患病率差异有统计学意义(P0.05),且随着感染型别种类增加,患病率降低(P0.05)。本研究显示,HPV16与高级别宫颈病变有较明显的相关性,老年HPV16阳性患者检出宫颈癌的概率更高。因此,应高度重视HPV16持续性感染,做到及时诊断与治疗,以减少宫颈高级别病变和宫颈癌的发生。     

Efficacy of vaccination against HPV infections to prevent cervical cancer in France: present assessment and pathways to improve vaccination policies

Background

Seventy percent of sexually active individuals will be infected with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) during their lifetime. These infections are incriminated for almost all cervical cancers. In France, 3,068 new cases of cervical cancer and 1,067 deaths from cervical cancer occurred in 2005. Two vaccines against HPV infections are currently available and vaccination policies aim to decrease the incidence of HPV infections and of cervical cancers. In France, vaccine coverage has been reported to be low.

Methods

We developed a dynamic model for the heterosexual transmission of Human Papillomavirus types 16 and 18, which are covered by available vaccines. A deterministic model was used with stratification on gender, age and sexual behavior. Immunity obtained from vaccination was taken into account. The model was calibrated using French data of cervical cancer incidence.

Results

In view of current vaccine coverage and screening, we expected a 32% and 83% reduction in the incidence of cervical cancers due to HPV 16/18, after 20 years and 50 years of vaccine introduction respectively. Vaccine coverage and screening rates were assumed to be constant. However, increasing vaccine coverage in women or vaccinating girls before 14 showed a better impact on cervical cancer incidence. On the other hand, performing vaccination in men improves the effect on cervical cancer incidence only moderately, compared to strategies in females only.

Conclusion

While current vaccination policies may significantly decrease cervical cancer incidence, other supplementary strategies in females could be considered in order to improve vaccination efficacy.     

Prevalence and risk factors of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection in southern Chinese women - a population-based study

Background

Persistent high-risk type Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is recognized as a necessary cause of cervical cancer. This study aimed to compare the HPV prevalence and risk factors between women residing in Hong Kong (HK) and Guangzhou (GZ) region of China.

Methodology/Principal Findings

A total of 1,570 and 1,369 women were recruited from HK and GZ, respectively. The cytology samples were collected and tested for HPV infection. The overall and type-specific HPV prevalence and the potential risk factors for acquisition of HPV infection were studied. Women with normal cytology in the GZ cohort had significantly higher HPV prevalence (10%) than those in the HK cohort (6.2%, p<0.001). The patterns of the age-specific HPV prevalence were also different between the two cohorts. In the HK cohort, women at the age of 20–29 years old had the highest prevalence and a second peak was observed in the age of ≥60 years old. In the GZ cohort, the highest HPV prevalence was also observed in 20–29 years old but declined as the age increased and a second peak was not seen. HPV16 and HPV52 were the most common high-risk types found in the HK and GZ cohorts, respectively. Age was the most consistently observed independent risk factor for HPV infection in the HK, while the number of sexual partners had association in the GZ cohort.

Conclusions/Significance

Our study provides the current status and the epidemiological characteristics of HPV prevalence in Southern Chinese women. The results strongly suggested that population education and the effective cervical cancer screening would be vital in the prevention of cervical cancer.     

Acceptability and Correlates of Primary and Secondary Prevention of Cervical Cancer among Medical Students in Southwest China: Implications for Cancer Education

Objectives

To understand knowledge about, and acceptability of, cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccines among medical students; and to explore potential factors that influence their acceptability in China.

Methods

We conducted a survey among medical students at six universities across southwest China using a 58-item questionnaire regarding knowledge and perceptions of HPV, cervical cancer, and HPV vaccines.

Results

We surveyed 1878 medical students with a mean age of 20.8 years (standard deviation: 1.3 years). Of these, 48.8% and 80.1% believed cervical cancer can be prevented by HPV vaccines and screening respectively, while 60.2% and 71.2% would like to receive or recommend HPV vaccines and screening. 35.4% thought HPV vaccines ought to be given to adolescents aged 13–18 years. 32% stated that women should start to undergo screening from the age of 25. 49.2% felt that women should receive screening every year. Concern about side effects (38.3% and 39.8%), and inadequate information (42.4% and 35.0%) were the most cited barriers to receiving or recommending HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening. Females were more likely to accept HPV vaccines (OR, 1.86; 95% CI: 1.47–2.35) or cervical cancer screening (OR, 3.69; 95% CI: 2.88–4.74). Students with a higher level of related knowledge were much more willing to receive or recommend vaccines (P<0.001) or screening (P<0.001). Students who showed negative or uncertain attitudes towards premarital sex were less likely to accept either HPV vaccines (OR, 0.67; 95% CI: 0.47–0.96), or screening (OR, 0.68; 0.47–0.10). Non-clinical students showed lower acceptability of cervical screening compared to students in clinical medicine (OR, 0.74; 95% CI: 0.56–0.96).

Conclusions

The acceptability of HPV vaccines and cervical cancer screening is relatively low among medical students in southwest China. Measures should be taken to improve knowledge about cervical cancer and awareness of HPV vaccines and screening among medical students at university.     

Prevalence of high-risk human papillomavirus type 16/18 infection among women with normal cytology: risk factor analysis and implications for screening and prophylaxis

Objective: To determine the prevalence of high‐risk human papillomavirus (HR‐HPV) 16/18 infection of uterine cervix among women in the reproductive age group, with cytologically normal cervical (Pap) smears; to analyse the risk factors for HR‐HPV acquisition and to address their implications for cervical cancer screening and prophylaxis in a low resource setting. Methods: Cervical samples from 769 cytologically negative women (age 18–45 years) attending a tertiary care centre in Delhi were subjected to HPV DNA testing and HR‐HPV 16/18 and low‐risk (LR)‐HPV 6/11 sub‐typing by polymerase chain reaction. Univariate risk factor analysis was carried out in HR‐HPV positive (n = 86) versus HR‐HPV negative women (n = 683) by chi‐square test. Results: The overall HPV prevalence among cytologically normal women was 16.6%. HR‐HPV16 was detected in 10.1%, whereas HPV18 was detected in 1% of women. HR‐HPV 16/18 comprised 67% of the total HPV positives. There was no decline in HR‐HPV positivity with age, and women aged 40–44 years were at significantly increased risk for HR‐HPV prevalence (P = 0.03). Statistically significant associations of HR‐HPV infection were found with risk factors such as high parity (P = 0.04), cervicitis/hypertrophic cervix (P = 0.01), unhealthy cervix (P = 0.04), rural residence (P = 0.03), low socioeconomic status (P = 0.01) and illiteracy (P = 0.07). Conclusions: Although the sample size was small, based on the observation that HR‐HPV 16 and 18 contributed significantly to the overall HPV prevalence in our setting, we speculate that testing/prophylaxis for these prevalent high‐risk types could perhaps make cervical cancer screening and preventive programmes cost‐effective. Larger community‐based studies on HPV prevalence and persistence are required to validate these findings before definitive recommendations can be made to the policy makers.     

Prevalence of Human Papillomavirus in 5,072 Consecutive Cervical SurePath Samples Evaluated with the Roche Cobas HPV Real-Time PCR Assay

New commercially available Human Papillomavirus (HPV) assays need to be evaluated in a variety of cervical screening settings. Cobas HPV Test (cobas) is a real-time PCR-based assay allowing for separate detection of HPV genotypes 16 and 18 and a bulk of 12 other high-risk genotypes. The aim of the present study, Horizon, was to assess the prevalence of high-risk HPV infections in an area with a high background risk of cervical cancer, where women aged 23–65 years are targeted for cervical screening. We collected 6,258 consecutive cervical samples from the largest cervical screening laboratory in Denmark serving the whole of Copenhagen. All samples were stored in SurePath media. In total, 5,072 samples were tested with cobas, Hybrid Capture 2 High Risk HPV DNA test (HC2) and liquid-based cytology. Of these, 27% tested positive on cobas. This proportion decreased by age, being 43% in women aged 23–29 years and 10% in women aged 60–65 years. HC2 assay was positive in 20% of samples, and cytology was abnormal (≥ atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance) for 7% samples. When only samples without recent abnormalities were taken into account, 24% tested positive on cobas, 19% on HC2, and 5% had abnormal cytology. The proportion of positive cobas samples was higher than in the ATHENA trial. The age-standardized cobas positivity vs. cytology abnormality was 3.9 in our study and 1.7 in ATHENA. If in Copenhagen the presently used cytology would be replaced by cobas in women above age 30 years, an extra 11% of women would based on historical data be expected to have a positive cobas test without an underlying cervical intraepithelial lesion grade 3 or worse. Countries with a high prevalence of HPV infections should therefore proceed to primary HPV-based cervical screening with caution.     

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in Southern Africa: prevalence,immunity, and vaccine prospects

Human papillomavirus (HPV) associated cancers are more prevalent in developing countries compared to developed countries. The major cancer caused by HPV is cervical cancer. The humoral immune response to HPV can be a marker of past infection but may also reflect persistent infection and cervical disease. IgA antibodies to HPV in oral fluid were also found to be markers of cervical disease. Cell mediated immunity is important in clearing HPV infection and for regression of the associated lesions: this means that women infected with HIV have a high prevalence of co-infection with HPV. Good cervical screening programmes can control HPV associated cervical neoplasia. However, in countries such as South Africa, where these programmes are inadequate, there is a need for an HPV vaccine. The development of HPV vaccines is reviewed. There is a call for an inexpensive vaccine that will be accessible to the women that do not have access to adequate screening programmes and are therefore at the greatest risk of cervical cancer.