Usefulness of high-risk HPV early oncoprotein (E6 and E7) serological markers in the detection of cervical cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

We reviewed the literature on the importance of selected anti-high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) antibodies (namely, 16/18 and early oncoproteins E6 and E7) as potential serological markers for early detection of individuals at high risk of cervical cancer. We searched for studies in PubMed and Embase databases published from 2010 to 2020 on antibodies against HR-HPV E6 and E7 early proteins and cervical cancer. Pooled sensitivity and specificity for HPV16 and HPV18 antibodies were calculated using a bivariate hierarchical random-effects model. A total of 69 articles were identified; we included three studies with 1550 participants. For the three HPV16/18 E6 and E7 antibody tests, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based assays had a sensitivity of 18% for detecting CIN2+ (95% confidence interval [CI]: 15-21) and a specificity of 96% (95% CI: 92-98), for slot-blot, sensitivity was 28.9% (95% CI: 23.3-35.1) and specificity was 72% (95% CI: 66.6-77.0) for detecting CIN2+, and for multiplex HPV serology assay based on a glutathione S-transferase, sensitivity was 16% (95% CI: 8.45-28.6) and specificity was 98% (95% CI: 97-99) for detecting invasive cervical cancer. HR-HPV16/18 E6 and E7 serological markers showed high specificity, but sensitivity was suboptimal for the detection of cervical cancer in either population screening settings or as point-of-care screening tests.

Prostate Cancer Patterns and Trends in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa; 1998-2017.

Background: Globally, prostate cancer is rated the second most common cancer and the sixth leading cause of death. In South Africa, it is ranked as leading cancer among men. This study describes prostate cancer patterns and trends in the rural Eastern Cape Province population. Methodology: Secondary data were used from which a sample of 723 prostate cancer (C61) patients was extracted from the database into STATA version 14.0 for descriptive analysis. A direct standardization method was used to estimate age-specific and age-standardized incidence rates. Keyfitz method was used to calculate the standard error and confidence interval, whereas the Joinpoint program the annual percentage change. Results: The mean age was 64 years, with a standard deviation of 9.9. Trends in prostate cancer incidence increased significantly (p = 0.026) from 7.4% in 2010 to 12.6% in 2017. Incidence rates varied across the region, with the lowest of 4.5 per 100,000 in 1998 to the highest of 21.4 per 100,000 in 2017 period. Lusikisiki had the highest incidence rates of 53.4 per 100,000 population (95% CI 0.8-61.4), while Centane with 21.7 per 100,000 (95% CI 2.3-27.6) rated the second. Other magisterial areas showed a constant increase (p > 0.05) throughout the observation period except for Idutywa and Willowvale, with no apparent increase. Conversely, in Butterworth, incidence rates decreased from 15.2 per 100 000 (95% CI 8.6-21.9) to 11.5 per 100,000 (95% CI 6.2-16.7). Conclusion: As experienced globally and regionally, prostate cancer has become a public health concern in this population. Incidence variations across the surveillance area in the Eastern Cape were noted with hotspots.