The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (Aiims), New Delhi, has announced the commencement of a multicentre study to create affordable human papillomavirus (HPV) tests for cervical cancer screening. This initiative, with the backing of DBT-BIRAC Grand Challenges India and in partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO)'s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), is focused on developing indigenous solutions to tackle the prevalence of cervical cancer in India and other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
The validation studies for these HPV 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. The aim is to overcome the current challenges posed by expensive HPV tests that demand sophisticated laboratory setups, as highlighted by Neerja Bhatla, the chief coordinator for the programme. Cervical cancer is a significant concern globally, ranking as the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide and the second most common cancer in Indian women after breast cancer, according to Aiims New Delhi.
The project's objective is to develop cost-effective HPV tests that can identify the prevalent cancer-causing HPV genotypes within the Indian population, are automated, and do not necessitate extensive technical know-how or elaborate infrastructure. By adhering to international quality standards, the initiative seeks to validate 'made in India' HPV tests for cervical cancer screening with the potential to benefit millions of women in India and other LMICs. The study's unique focus on evaluating tests with fewer HPV types aims to enhance the test's accuracy and cost-effectiveness to facilitate broader adoption within screening programs, as highlighted by Bhatla, the driving force behind the project. The ultimate goal is to aid India in reaching the WHO's target of eliminating cervical cancer by 2030 by integrating HPV testing into the national cancer control program.