Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Rapid detection of oncogenic human papillomavirus subtypes.

Characteristics

The principle of human papillomavirus (HPV) testing is the molecular identification of oncogenic HPV subtypes clinically most associated with cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is a preventable disease. It is also curable if detected early and treated. Yet it remains one of most common cancers and the cause of cancer-related death in women across the globe. Over the next 8 years (2022 to 2030) the annual number of new cases of cervical cancer is expected to increase to over 700,000. During that same period the annual number of deaths will increase from 350,000 to 400,000. More than 85% of those affected are young, poor, undereducated women who live in the world’s poorest countries.

The primary cause cervical cancer is infection with a high-risk or oncogenic HPV type. HPV is a group of viruses that are extremely common worldwide— there are more than 100 types, of which at least 14 cause cancer. A subset of HPV types is responsible for virtually all cases of cervical cancer. HPV 16 and 18, which together are responsible for approximately 70% of cervical cancer world-wide, are the most oncogenic types. Cervical HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection. The higher rates of cervical cancer incidence and mortality in Low- and Middle-Income Countries are not directly related to differences in cervical infection with oncogenic HPV types. Instead, they are mainly attributable to the relative lack of high-quality cervical cancer screening. Infection with certain HPV types also causes a proportion of cancers of the anus, vulva, vagina, penis and oropharynx, which are preventable using primary prevention strategies similar to those for cervical cancer.