Promising Options for Cervical and Endometrial Cancer Detection Emerge at ADLM 2025

Strategic Insights -

Scientists at the ADLM 2025 conference have presented studies highlighting two innovative tests that could revolutionize women's healthcare. A self-collection test for human papillomavirus (HPV) has shown promising results in underserved communities, while a minimally invasive test for endometrial cancer aims to reduce the number of invasive procedures required for diagnosis. The studies' findings offer hope for improving access to cervical cancer screening and enhancing diagnostic accuracy for endometrial cancer.

Key Takeaways:

  • A self-collection HPV test, approved by the FDA in May 2024, can be done at local clinics and community-wide events, potentially widening access to cervical cancer screening in underserved communities.
  • The test was found to be a useful tool in a study conducted by Oregon Health & Science University, which followed 28 Asian women who self-collected HPV samples and found that all samples were valid, with 26 testing negative for HPV.
  • The study's results showed that 71% of participants said they wouldn't have had access to HPV testing otherwise, and 94% said they were likely or very likely to choose self-collection again, citing ease, comfort, and clear instructions.
  • A minimally invasive test for endometrial cancer, called WomEC, was developed by researchers from Spain, who used mass spectrometry to assess over 100 proteins in uterine fluid samples from 358 patients.
  • The WomEC test correctly identified 99% of women with endometrial cancer and ruled out the need for further testing in 97% of those who did not have the cancer.
  • MiMARK Diagnostics is developing an in vitro diagnostic test based on the WomEC approach, which could be implemented in clinical laboratories within a few years.

Statistics:

  • Over 800 exhibitors will populate the ADLM 2025 Clinical Lab Expo in Chicago.
  • Endometrial cancer is the sixth most common cancer in women worldwide and the most common gynecologic cancer in high-income countries like the U.S.
  • Up to 30% of biopsy results for endometrial cancer can be inconclusive, warranting further examinations that can be painful and invasive.
  • The WomEC test has a strong diagnostic performance data in retrospective studies, with 99% correct identification of endometrial cancer and 97% ruling out the need for further testing in those without the cancer.

Sources:

  • "HPV self-collection is a game-changing approach for cervical cancer screening - especially for underserved Asian American communities." Dr. Zhengchun Lu, Oregon Health & Science University.
  • FDA approval for self-collection HPV test in May 2024.
  • Abstract B-255: Enhancing HPV screening and cervical cancer detection in the Asian community through self-collection.
  • Abstract B-368: WomEC, a novel diagnostic test for the detection of endometrial cancer in uterine fluid.
  • Oregon Health & Science University study on self-collection HPV test.
  • MiMARK Diagnostics study on WomEC test.
  • Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (ADLM) press release.