Performance of standardised colposcopy to detect cervical precancer and cancer for triage of women testing positive for human papillomavirus: results from the ESTAMPA multicentric screening study.

BACKGROUND: Colposcopy, currently included in WHO recommendations as an option to triage human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive women, remains as the reference standard to guide both biopsy for confirmation of cervical precancer and cancer and treatment approaches. We aim to evaluate the performance of colposcopy to detect cervical precancer and cancer for triage in HPV-positive women. METHODS: This cross-sectional, multicentric screening study was conducted at 12 centres (including primary and secondary care centres, hospitals, laboratories, and universities) in Latin America (Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay). Eligible women were aged 30-64 years, sexually active, did not have a history of cervical cancer or treatment for cervical precancer or a hysterectomy, and were not planning to move outside of the study area. Women were screened with HPV DNA testing and cytology. HPV-positive women were referred to colposcopy using a standardised protocol, including biopsy collection of observed lesions, endocervical sampling for transformation zone (TZ) type 3, and treatment as needed. Women with initial normal colposcopy or no high-grade cervical lesions on histology (less than cervical intraepithelial neoplasia [CIN] grade 2) were recalled after 18 months for another HPV test to complete disease ascertainment; HPV-positive women were referred for a second colposcopy with biopsy and treatment as needed. Diagnostic accuracy of colposcopy was assessed by considering a positive test result when the colposcopic impression at the initial colposcopy was positive minor, positive major, or suspected cancer, and was considered negative otherwise. The main study outcome was histologically confirmed CIN3+ (defined as grade 3 or worse) detected at the initial visit or 18-month visit. FINDINGS: Between Dec 12, 2012, and Dec 3, 2021, 42 502 women were recruited, and 5985 (14·1%) tested positive for HPV. 4499 participants with complete disease ascertainment and follow-up were included in the analysis, with a median age of 40·6 years (IQR 34·7-49·9). CIN3+ was detected in 669 (14·9%) of 4499 women at the initial visit or 18-month visit (3530 [78·5%] negative or CIN1, 300 [6·7%] CIN2, 616 [13·7%] CIN3, and 53 [1·2%] cancers). Sensitivity was 91·2% (95% CI 88·9-93·2) for CIN3+, whereas specificity was 50·1% (48·5-51·8) for less than CIN2 and 47·1% (45·5-48·7) for less than CIN3. Sensitivity for CIN3+ significantly decreased in older women (93·5% [95% CI 91·3-95·3] in those aged 30-49 years vs 77·6% [68·6-85·0] in those aged 50-65 years; p<0·0001), whereas specificity for less than CIN2 significantly increased (45·7% [43·8-47·6] vs 61·8% [58·7-64·8]; p<0·0001). Sensitivity for CIN3+ was also significantly lower in women with negative cytology than in those with abnormal cytology (p<0·0001). INTERPRETATION: Colposcopy is accurate for CIN3+ detection in HPV-positive women. These results reflect ESTAMPA efforts in an 18-month follow-up strategy to maximise disease detection with an internationally validated clinical management protocol and regular training, including quality improvement practices. We showed that colposcopy can be optimised with proper standardisation to be used as triage in HPV-positive women. FUNDING: WHO; Pan American Health Organization; Union for International Cancer Control; National Cancer Institute (NCI); NCI Center for Global Health; National Agency for the Promotion of Research, Technological Development, and Innovation; NCI of Argentina and Colombia; Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social; National Council for Science and Technology of Paraguay; International Agency for Research on Cancer; and all local collaborative institutions.

Multicentric study of cervical cancer screening with human papillomavirus testing and assessment of triage methods in Latin America: the ESTAMPA screening study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Human papillomavirus (HPV) testing is replacing cytology in primary screening. Its limited specificity demands using a second (triage) test to better identify women at high-risk of cervical disease. Cytology represents the immediate triage but its low sensitivity might hamper HPV testing sensitivity, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), where cytology performance has been suboptimal. The ESTAMPA (EStudio multicéntrico de TAMizaje y triaje de cáncer de cuello uterino con pruebas del virus del PApiloma humano; Spanish acronym) study will: (1) evaluate the performance of different triage techniques to detect cervical precancer and (2) inform on how to implement HPV-based screening programmes in LMIC. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Women aged 30-64 years are screened with HPV testing and Pap across 12 study centres in Latin America. Screened positives have colposcopy with biopsy and treatment of lesions. Women with no evident disease are recalled 18 months later for another HPV test; those HPV-positive undergo colposcopy with biopsy and treatment as needed. Biological specimens are collected in different visits for triage testing, which is not used for clinical management. The study outcome is histological high-grade squamous intraepithelial or worse lesions (HSIL+) under the lower anogenital squamous terminology. About 50 000 women will be screened and 500 HSIL+ cases detected (at initial and 18 months screening). Performance measures (sensitivity, specificity and predictive values) of triage techniques to detect HSIL+ will be estimated and compared with adjustment by age and study centre. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study protocol has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and by those in each participating centre. A Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) has been established to monitor progress of the study, assure participant safety, advice on scientific conduct and analysis and suggest protocol improvements. Study findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at scientific meetings. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01881659.

Tamizaje del cáncer de cuello uterino con test de HVP. Primeros resultados en el sistema público de Uruguay / Screening for cervical cancer with hpv testing. First results in the uruguayan public system / Tamizagem de câncer do colo do útero con exame de HPV. Primeiros resultados no sistema público do Uruguai

Introduccción: en Uruguay, el cáncer de cuello uterino ocupó el tercer lugar con una incidencia promedio de 312 nuevos casos por año; fallecieron 134 mujeres promedio por año en el período 2010 - 2014. Objetivo: el objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar los primeros resultados de una experiencia piloto con la aplicación del test de HPV captura híbrida HC2 (QiagenR) como test de tamizaje primario del cáncer de cuello uterino en una zona del departamento de Canelones. Método: se estudiaron 1.010 mujeres asintomáticas entre 30 y 64 años que concurrieron a realizarse el test de PAP a dos unidades de toma de muestras del Programa de prevención del cáncer de cuello uterino. Se realizó la extracción conjunta de la muestra para PAP, que fue derivada a uno de los laboratorios de citología de la Red de Atención Primaria de Salud y la muestra de HPV que fue procesada con la técnica de captura híbrida en el laboratorio de biología molecular del Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell. Las usuarias con resultados HPV + y PAP anormales (ASC-US+) fueron derivadas a colposcopia, con biopsia y posterior tratamiento cuando correspondió. Resultados: el test de HPV fue positivo en 126/1.010 mujeres (12,5%) y el PAP anormal en 167/1.010 (16,5%). El test de HPV fue positivo en todos los casos CIN2+ 13/13 (100%) mientras que el PAP fue anormal (ASCUS+) en 7/13 (54%) para CIN2+ por biopsia. Conclusión: el test de HPV resultó más eficaz y eficiente que el PAP para la detección de lesiones precancerosas de cuello uterino.

Introduction: in Uruguay, cervical cancer occupied the third place with an average incidence of 312 new cases per year. 134 women died in the 2010 -2014 period. Objective: the study aims to analyse the first results in a pilot experience with the application of Hybrid Capture® 2 High-Risk HPV DNA Test™ (hc2) (QiagenR) as the primary screening test for cervical cancer, in the Department of Canelones. Method: 1.010 asymptomatic women whose ages ranged between 30 and 64 years old were studied when they requested a pap smear at two units of sample taking within the Cervical Cancer Prevention Program. Samples were taken along with the pap smear, and sent to one of the cytology labs in the primary health care network, the HPV sample being processed with the hybrid capture technique in the molecular biology laboratory of the Pereira Rossell Hospital Center. Users with abnormal HPV+ and abnormal pap smear results (ASCUS+) were referred to colposcopy, with subsequent biopsy and treatment if required. Results: HPV test was positive in 126/1010 women (12.5%) and PAP was abnormal in 167/1010 cases (16.5%). HPV test was positive in all cases CIN2+ 13/13 (100%) whereas PAP was abnormal (ASCUS+) in 7/13 54%) for CIN2+ in biopsy. Conclusion: HPV test was more effective and efficient than pap smear to detect pre-cancer lesions in the cervix.

Introdução: no Uruguai, no período 2010 - 2014, o câncer de colo do útero foi a terceira causa com uma incidência média de 312 novos casos por ano e uma média de 134 mortes por ano. Objetivo: o objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar os primeiros resultados de uma experiência piloto com a utilização do exame de HPV Captura Híbrida HC2 (QiagenR) na tamizagem primária do câncer de colo do útero em una zona do departamento de Canelones. Método: foram estudadas 1010 mulheres assintomáticas, com idades entre 30 e 64 anos que foram a duas unidades do Programa de Prevenção do Câncer do Colo do Útero para a coleta de amostra para exame de Papanicolau (PAP). Realizou-se uma única extração para duas amostras: uma para PAP, que foi encaminhada a um laboratório de citologia da rede de atenção primária de saúde e outra para o exame de HPV que foi processada com a técnica de captura híbrida no laboratório de biologia molecular do Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell. As usuárias com resultados HPV + e PAP anormais (ASCUS+) foram encaminhadas para realização de colposcopia, com biopsia e tratamento quando fosse necessário. Resultados: o exame de HPV foi positivo em 126/1010 mulheres (12.5%) e o PAP foi anormal em 167/1010 (16.5%). O exame de HPV foi positivo em todos los casos CIN2+ 13/13 (100%) e o PAP foi anormal (ASCUS+) em 7/13 (54%) para CIN2+ por biopsia. Conclusão: o exame de HPV foi mais eficaz e eficiente que o PAP para detecção de lesões pré-cancerosas de colo do útero.