Epigenetic test beats smear and HPV to detect cervical cancer



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Woman sitting on Dr. Table Epigenetics

Cervical cancer was the leading cause of death among women about one hundred years ago. But thanks to advances in medical science, this disease is almost preventable nowadays. However, cervical cancer continues to kill more than 4,000 women each year in the United States.

Although Pap tests and human papillomavirus (HPV) have contributed significantly to lower mortality rates, there are still some types of CC that are not easily detectable.

Now, a new technique has just been discovered
who can better identify this cancer, outperforming both smear and HPV
screening methods. According to a recent study published in International Journal
of cancer
,
an epigenetic-based test accurately detected 100% CC in HPV
FOCAL trial.

The baseline
"S5" <span data-cmtooltip = "The addition of a methyl (CH3) from the S-adenosylmethionine group to a cytosine nucleotide or a lysine or arginine residue. "clbad =" glossaryLink "> methylation evaluation used in the trial correctly identified all 8
CC invasive that has developed in the 15,744 screened women. While the
traditional Pap and HPV tests, by comparison, detected only 25% and 50%
respectively for this cancer.

Pap tests
(or Pap smear) look for abnormalities and precancers by microscopy
examination of cervical cells. An HPV test checks the real virus
rather than for changes in cervical cells. Although HPV is the main
Because of most CCs, this does not necessarily indicate cancer. In fact, many women
who are tested positive for HPV infection will eventually eliminate the virus and not
develop the disease, justifying useless anxiety.

New
test badyzes the DNA of the cells. But, instead of checking the variations of
the genetic code that would indicate something specific like the HPV virus, the new test
inspects the chemical markers or labels that appear on the DNA, determining what
it's called the "epigenetic profile".

Epigenetics is the study of changes in the Gene expression. It essentially consists of chemical and / or other modifications that regulate the behavior of the genes, indicating whether they should be activated or not. Many studies have shown how an individual's epigenetic profile can affect their health or even lead to complications later in life. In addition, disruption of the epigenome plays a crucial role in the development of cancer.

"This
Attila Lorincz, Principal Investigator at the Institute for Research on
study and developer of the first HPV test in 1988. "We are not just surprised by
this test detects cervical cancer well, but this is the first time that
anyone who has proven the key role of epigenetics in the development of a major
cancer using patient data from the clinic. "

Lorincz
believes that epigenetics, not DNA mutations, are better indicators of the
cancers such as cervix, bad, prostate and colon. "Epigenetic changes are what
this cervical cancer test is starting again and is exactly why it works so well. "

In addition to the broad
study, the researchers also looked at a subset of 257 women who were
HPV positive. Again, the epigenetic test was better since it detected 93% of precancers
in these women, while combined Pap and HPV testing provided 86% detection
rate.

"It's really a huge step forward in how to treat HPV infection.
women and men, representing billions around the world, and it will revolutionize
screening, "noted Lorincz.
were surprised by the extent to which this new test can detect and predict the cervix's onset
cancers years in advance, with 100% of cancers detected, including
adenocarcinoma, a type of cervical cancer very difficult to treat.
detect."

Even if
the test could take up to 5 years to be fully deployed, the authors believe
that it will also be more profitable than
current methods, reducing the number of doctor appointments and
necessary projections. More importantly, he will detect the disease as soon as possible,
save thousands of lives each year.

Source: Darrel A. Cook and. Al. (December
2018) Evaluation of one
validated methylation triage signature in women with human papillomavirus
in the HPV FOCAL cervical cancer screening test
. Int J
Cancer. doi: 10.1002 / ijc.

Reference: Queen Mary University
from London. "New epigenetics
Cervical cancer test has a detection rate of 100 percent.
December 2018.

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