Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026
Chromogenic In Situ Hybridization as a Tool for HPV-Related Head and Neck Cancer Diagnosis
Published on: June 14, 2019
Genotype-Specific HPV mRNA Triage Improves Colposcopy Efficiency Compared with Cytology and ATHENA-Derived Triage: A
Sveinung Wergeland Sørbye1, Bente Marie Falang2, Mona Antonsen1
1Department of Clinical Pathology, University Hospital of North Norway, 9006 Tromsø, Norway.
Background:
Effective triage of HPV DNA-positive women is needed to reduce unnecessary colposcopies while maintaining cervical cancer prevention. We evaluated genotype-specific 7-type HPV E6/E7 mRNA triage in a real-world screening cohort.
Methods:
In this population-based single-centre study at the University Hospital of North Norway, 42,791 women underwent primary screening with the cobas HPV DNA assay during the period 2019-2024. Among 2370 HPV DNA-positive women, reflex cytology, 7-type HPV mRNA testing, and an ATHENA-derived triage strategy were compared using histologically confirmed CIN3+ through 31 December 2025 as the endpoint.
Results:
CIN3+ was detected in 60/2370 women (2.5%). Test positivity was 47.0% for cytology, 54.7% for ATHENA-derived triage, and 33.4% for HPV mRNA. Sensitivity was 78.3%, 86.7%, and 73.3%; specificity was 53.8%, 46.1%, and 67.7%; and PPV was 4.2%, 4.0%, and 5.6%, respectively. Colposcopies per CIN3+ detected were 23.7, 24.9, and 18.0.
Conclusions:
HPV mRNA triage improved referral precision and colposcopy efficiency, but with lower sensitivity than ATHENA-derived triage. These findings support 7-type HPV mRNA testing as a potentially useful molecular triage option where structured follow-up is feasible.
