Clinical Prediction Based on HPV DNA Testing by HybridCapture 2 (HC2) in Combination with Liquid-based Cytology(LBC)

Abstract

Primary screening by HPV DNA testing is an effective method for reducing cervical cancer and has provenmore sensitive than cytology. To advance this approach, many molecular methods have been developed. Hybridcapture 2 provides semi-quantitative results in ratios of relative light units and positive cutoff values (RLU/PC). Twenty-five thousand and five patients were included in this study to analyze the correlation between theratio of RLU/PC and stage of cervical dysplasia. The results show that the RLU/PC ratios ranged from 0-3500while almost normal cases, ASC-US and ASC-H, had values below 200. Of those samples negative for cytologymarkers, 94.6% were normal and their RLU/PC ratios were less than 4. With an RLU/PC ratio greater than4 and less than or equal to 300, the percentages in all age groups were normal 53.6%, LSIL 20.2%, ASC-US17.2%, HSIL 6.13%, ASC-H 2.72%, and AGC 0.11%, respectively. In contrast, 64.0% of samples with a RLU/PC ratio greater than 300 and less than or equal to 3500 were LSIL. These results should contribute to costeffective cervical cancer management strategies. Further studies of associations with particular HPV genotypeswould be useful to predict the risk of progression to cancer.