HQ Team
July 17, 2024: Japanese researchers have developed a non-invasive alternative to detect human papillomavirus by testing urine samples, a discovery that may transform cervical cancer screening.
The current cancer screening methods are mostly invasive and some involve the detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA, according to a statement from Japan’s Waseda University.
Recent advances in the field suggest the detection of HPV16 E7 oncoproteins as a more clinically relevant method for screening cervical cancer.
A group of researchers led by Professor Etsuro Ito from the Department of Biology, Waseda University, developed an ultrasensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or ELISA test to detect high-risk HPV16 E7 oncoproteins in urine.
‘Screening a hurdle’
“Cancer can be prevented by vaccination before it develops and by regular screening. But screening is a big hurdle for young women,” he said.
“Our new urine test can detect HPV16 E7 proteins, which are critical markers of cervical cancer risk, at extremely low levels.
“This means that women may be able to screen for cervical cancer without the discomfort and inconvenience of a traditional Pap test.”
Cancer screening can be done by collection of urine samples by the patients themselves and then delivering it to medical facility for testing.
Pap test
Presently, screening methods for cervical cancer typically involve a Pap smear or an HPV DNA test, both of which require a visit to a healthcare provider and can be uncomfortable for many women.
The new urine test offers a noninvasive alternative, which could encourage more women to participate in regular screening.
“This alternative method is a step forward to eradicate cervical cancer by lowering the barriers related to screening,” according to the statement.
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women with approximately 660,000 new cases and 350,000 deaths worldwide in 2022 alone.
Almost all cases are linked to high-risk HPV infections.
Intraepithelial neoplasia
Researcher Ito and his team’s test was able to identify these proteins in the urine of women with different stages of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), a precursor to cervical cancer.
The ELISA test detected E7 proteins in 80% of women with CIN1, 71% with CIN2, and 38% with CIN3, suggesting that the presence of E7 oncoproteins correlates with lower-grade CIN lesions.
The researchers theorize that this discrepancy may be due to variations in the HPV life cycle or oncogenic activity, according to the statement.
“We believe that the E7 oncoprotein is critical in the early stages of HPV-related cervical carcinogenesis and E7 may play a more significant role in the progression of CIN1 and CIN2 than in CIN3,” Ito said.
“This new method holds great promise for early detection and prevention of cervical cancer. We are optimistic that further development and validation of this assay will lead to its widespread use in clinical settings.”
