New diagnostic test for cervical cancer in women infected with high-risk HPV

New diagnostic test for cervical cancer in women infected with high-risk HPV

QIAGEN is launching its QIAsure Methylation Test during EUROGIN 2016, the international conference for the European Research Organization on Genital Infection and Neoplasia, in Salzburg, Austria. This is a novel molecular diagnostic test for use in differentiating patients’ risk of developing cervical cancer. The test is highly complementary to HPV screening tests, following either a positive high risk HPV test or a finding of abnormal cells in cytology from a Pap smear. It can be used on either clinician collected or self-collected samples.

When a woman screens positive for high-risk HPV, she is at risk of developing cervical cancer. The currently favoured triage method for a positive HPV result is cytology. Cytology lacks sensitivity, is subjective and skill dependent. With increased interest and uptake of HPV testing as a primary test, the need for a suitable triage test following a positive HPV test is increasing. QIAsure accurately assesses the risk of cervical cancer following a HPV-positive test result providing timely reassurance and guidance to treatment for each individual patient. QIAsure is an important advance for women’s health.

“QIAsure is a highly attractive and complementary addition to our leading HPV franchise”, said Thierry Bernard, Senior Vice President and Head of QIAGEN’s Molecular Diagnostics Business Area. “It creates a compelling solution for primary screening that includes the leading HPV primary screening test and leading solution for automated sample processing and molecular analysis of cervical samples.“

“The QIAsure Methylation Test is an important advance for women’s health. When a woman screens positive for HPV, or cytology shows abnormal cells, she is at risk of developing cervical cancer. The QIAsure test is the next logical step to assess this risk,” said Dr. Tadd Lazarus, Chief Medical Officer of QIAGEN. “This highly sensitive, specific molecular test identifies cancer specific epigenetic changes in cervical cells and enables the physician to assess whether the HPV infection is progressing toward cancer – a valuable insight that provides timely reassurance and guidance to treatment for each individual patient.”

Cervical cancer affects over 500,000 women annually on global scale and is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV vaccination and HPV screening are making cervical cancer highly treatable and preventable.

Further information can be found at http://www.qiagen.com.

Staff Writer