An update review on HPV testing methods for cervical neoplasia.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Virology
• Molecular Diagnostics

Background:

• Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a primary cause of cervical cancer.
• Traditional screening methods like cytology have limited sensitivity.
• Novel HPV DNA/RNA detection methods offer improved cervical cancer screening.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current HPV testing methodologies.
• To outline their established and emerging clinical applications.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature search using MEDLINE database.
• Hand-searching of retrieved article references to identify additional relevant studies.

Main Results:

• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Hybrid Capture II are established HPV testing methods with clear clinical uses.
• Real-time PCR and mRNA testing represent emerging techniques of significant interest.
• Current primary applications include triage for borderline Pap smears and post-treatment follow-up for cervical pre-malignant conditions.

Conclusions:

• Established HPV tests like PCR and Hybrid Capture II are vital for current cervical cancer screening protocols.
• Emerging HPV detection technologies show promise for future applications.
• Clinical utility is demonstrated in managing borderline results and monitoring treatment efficacy for pre-cancerous cervical conditions.