SUAB0404 | EVALUATING THE EFFICACY OF METHYLATION-SPECIFIC PCR ASSAYS FOR EARLY DETECTION OF CERVICAL INTRAEPITHELIAL NEOPLASIA AND CANCER IN HPV-POSITIVE WOMEN

Mollent Aloo¹, Alex Nyabuti² | ¹National HIV Reference Laboratory, Nairobi, Kenya; ²National Oncology Reference Laboratory, Nairobi, Kenya

DNA methylation is a crucial epigenetic modification that involves adding a methyl group to cytosine nucleotides. Abnormal DNA methylation patterns play a significant role in the development of various cancers, including cervical cancer. This study explores the use of a multiplex real-time methylation-specific PCR assay to detect promoter hypermethylation in the genes FAM19A4 and hsa-mir124-2, which are markers of advanced cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cervical cancer. The methylation test aims to identify promoter hypermethylation in DNA samples collected from the cervix and vagina, either by healthcare professionals or through self-collection. This test serves as a follow-up for women who have tested positive for human papillomavirus (HPV) or received results indicating squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) in Pap tests. It helps determine if further procedures, such as colposcopy, are necessary. The underlying theory is that early detection of cancer-like methylation profiles can significantly improve patient outcomes by enabling timely intervention. By incorporating this methylation test into routine screening for HPV-positive women, healthcare providers can more accurately identify those at high risk of progressing to cervical cancer. This approach optimizes the use of colposcopy resources and reduces the number of unnecessary procedures. The methylation test showed that it was very good at finding CIN3+ and cervical cancers. It had a sensitivity of 89.9% for CIN3+ and 100% for carcinoma in HPV-positive cervical samples. It performed impressively with both physician-collected and self-collected samples, showcasing its versatility. Direct bisulfite conversion of cervical specimens proved effective, streamlining the testing process and enhancing accessibility. The methylation test represents a significant advancement in cervical cancer screening. It offers a reliable method to identify women at risk of developing cervical cancer. Integrating this test into existing HPV screening programs can improve early detection and prevention efforts, ultimately helping to reduce the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer.