AIIMS New Delhi recently made an announcement regarding the launch of a multicentre study aimed at developing affordable HPV tests for cervical cancer screening. This initiative is supported by organizations like DBT-BIRAC Grand Challenges India and the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The validation studies for these tests will be conducted at AIIMS New Delhi, the National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR) in Noida, and the National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health (NIRRCH) in Mumbai.
Neerja Bhatla, chief coordinator for the programme, emphasized the necessity for low-cost screening for cervical cancer due to the current expensive and resource-intensive nature of HPV tests. Cervical cancer is a significant health concern, being the fourth most common cancer in women globally and the second most prevalent cancer in Indian women after breast cancer. According to the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) data, a considerable number of women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year, with a substantial portion of the burden falling on low- and middle-income countries like India.
The project's primary goal is to develop and validate indigenous, low-cost HPV tests that can effectively detect cancer-causing HPV genotypes in the Indian population. Additionally, these tests are intended to be automated, user-friendly, and not reliant on complex technical infrastructure. This initiative is crucial for achieving the World Health Organization's 2030 target of eliminating cervical cancer and integrating HPV testing into the national cancer program. Through this undertaking, millions of women in India and other low- and middle-income countries stand to benefit from improved access to cervical cancer screening and prevention measures.