An FDA panel recently recommended use of Roche’s Cobas HPV DNA test as the initial screening tool for cervical cancer instead of the ubiquitous Pap smear. The panel found that “A negative HPV result predicted a lower 3-year risk of ≥CIN3 than did a negative cytology result, suggesting that using HPV as the primary test is superior to cytology for cervical cancer screening.The low 3-year CIR for a negative HPV result also confirmed the safety of a 3-year interval for HPV primary screening and officer clinicians more confiedence in a negative HPV result than a negative cytology result.”
While this isn’t a final FDA guideline, it’s conceivable that clinicians could alter their practice based on these findings. Of course, this will affect the cytology and molecular diagnostics departments, as well. What do you think? Is HPV viral testing the way to go? Or should we stick with the test that’s been around for decades?
Lablogatory 