Novel Test Detects Cervical Cancer Earlier than Traditional Screening Methods
|
By LabMedica International staff writers Posted on 27 Sep 2023 |

Cervical cancer is the fourth most frequent cancer affecting women worldwide. In 2020, the disease was responsible for roughly 604,000 new cases and 342,000 fatalities. The World Health Organization recommends that women undergo regular screenings using highly effective tests. Early detection can lead to immediate surgical intervention, sparing women from added medical procedures, stress, and financial burden. When detected in its initial stages, cervical cancer has a 93% survival rate, which drops to 15% if the disease progresses. Now, a new test has the potential to revolutionize cervical cancer screening, promising better outcomes and survival rates for patients.
HKG Epitherapeutics’ (Hong Kong, PRC) proprietary epiCervix test has proven more effective at early-stage cervical cancer detection than traditional methods like Pap smears and HPV tests. Instead of relying on a cytopathologist's subjective judgment in examining cells, the epiCervix test utilizes a DNA methylation technique to analyze changes in four specific genes (CA10, DPP10, FMN2, and HAS1). This results in a more objective and precise diagnosis, crucial for early intervention.
A recent study involving 800 women showed that the epiCervix test had near-perfect accuracy in identifying both premalignant and malignant cells, even in cases that went undetected by conventional screening methods. The test was particularly successful in identifying high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in women who had undergone colposcopies due to abnormal Pap smear results. These are precancerous lesions that can develop into full-blown cervical cancer if not treated in time.
"The problem with existing cervical cancer screenings is that they don't always catch malignant cells, and even if a woman has HPV, it doesn't mean that she has cancer. HKG's test gives doctors and patients a much earlier warning system than what is in use today. The earlier the detection, the greater the chances are for survival," said Prof. Moshe Szyf, HKG Epitherapeutics CEO. "Since HKG's epiCervix test is more sensitive than traditional screens, it can find cancer DNA among cells that look noncancerous, enabling doctors to more accurately identify patients who need further testing for cervical cancer. The results from this study have the potential to transform the global cervical cancer screening market through offering a more effective, less invasive and cost-efficient solution. Through integrating epiCervix into the current screening process, we can make cervical cancer no different for women than needing to get a tooth extracted."
Related Links:
HKG Epitherapeutics
Latest Molecular Diagnostics News
- New Extraction Kit Enables Consistent, Scalable cfDNA Isolation from Multiple Biofluids
- New CSF Liquid Biopsy Assay Reveals Genomic Insights for CNS Tumors
- AI-Powered Liquid Biopsy Classifies Pediatric Brain Tumors with High Accuracy
- Group A Strep Molecular Test Delivers Definitive Results at POC in 15 Minutes
- Rapid Molecular Test Identifies Sepsis Patients Most Likely to Have Positive Blood Cultures
- Light-Based Sensor Detects Early Molecular Signs of Cancer in Blood
- New Testing Method Predicts Trauma Patient Recovery Days in Advance
- Simple Method Predicts Risk of Brain Tumor Recurrence
- Genetic Test Could Improve Early Detection of Prostate Cancer
- Bone Molecular Maps to Transform Early Osteoarthritis Detection
- POC Testing for Hepatitis B DNA as Effective as Traditional Laboratory Testing
- Fully Automated Immunoassay Test Detects HDV Co‑Infection and Super-Infection
- Abdominal Fluid Testing Can Predict Ovarian Cancer Progression
- POC Test Uses Fingerstick Blood, Serum, Or Plasma Sample to Detect Typhoid Fever
- Rapid Testing Panel Simultaneously Detects 15 Drugs of Abuse in Urine Within 21 Minutes
- New Test Detects Breast Reconstruction-Related Infections Before Symptoms Appear
Channels
Clinical Chemistry
view channel
Existing Hospital Analyzers Can Identify Fake Liquid Medical Products
Counterfeit and substandard medicines remain a serious global health threat, with World Health Organization estimates suggesting that 10.5% of medicines in low- and middle-income countries are either fake... Read more
Rapid Blood Testing Method Aids Safer Decision-Making in Drug-Related Emergencies
Acute recreational drug toxicity is a frequent reason for emergency department visits, yet clinicians rarely have access to confirmatory toxicology results in real time. Instead, treatment decisions are... Read moreHematology
view channel
Rapid Cartridge-Based Test Aims to Expand Access to Hemoglobin Disorder Diagnosis
Sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia are hemoglobin disorders that often require referral to specialized laboratories for definitive diagnosis, delaying results for patients and clinicians.... Read more
New Guidelines Aim to Improve AL Amyloidosis Diagnosis
Light chain (AL) amyloidosis is a rare, life-threatening bone marrow disorder in which abnormal amyloid proteins accumulate in organs. Approximately 3,260 people in the United States are diagnosed... Read moreImmunology
view channel
New Biomarker Predicts Chemotherapy Response in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Triple-negative breast cancer is an aggressive form of breast cancer in which patients often show widely varying responses to chemotherapy. Predicting who will benefit from treatment remains challenging,... Read moreBlood Test Identifies Lung Cancer Patients Who Can Benefit from Immunotherapy Drug
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive disease with limited treatment options, and even newly approved immunotherapies do not benefit all patients. While immunotherapy can extend survival for some,... Read more
Whole-Genome Sequencing Approach Identifies Cancer Patients Benefitting From PARP-Inhibitor Treatment
Targeted cancer therapies such as PARP inhibitors can be highly effective, but only for patients whose tumors carry specific DNA repair defects. Identifying these patients accurately remains challenging,... Read more
Ultrasensitive Liquid Biopsy Demonstrates Efficacy in Predicting Immunotherapy Response
Immunotherapy has transformed cancer treatment, but only a small proportion of patients experience lasting benefit, with response rates often remaining between 10% and 20%. Clinicians currently lack reliable... Read moreMicrobiology
view channel
Rapid Test Promises Faster Answers for Drug-Resistant Infections
Drug-resistant pathogens continue to pose a growing threat in healthcare facilities, where delayed detection can impede outbreak control and increase mortality. Candida auris is notoriously difficult to... Read more
CRISPR-Based Technology Neutralizes Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
Antibiotic resistance has accelerated into a global health crisis, with projections estimating more than 10 million deaths per year by 2050 as drug-resistant “superbugs” continue to spread.... Read more
Comprehensive Review Identifies Gut Microbiome Signatures Associated With Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease affects approximately 6.7 million people in the United States and nearly 50 million worldwide, yet early cognitive decline remains difficult to characterize. Increasing evidence suggests... Read morePathology
view channel
New AI-Driven Platform Standardizes Tuberculosis Smear Microscopy Workflow
Sputum smear microscopy remains central to tuberculosis treatment monitoring and follow-up, particularly in high‑burden settings where serial testing is routine. Yet consistent, repeatable bacillary assessment... Read more
AI Tool Uses Blood Biomarkers to Predict Transplant Complications Before Symptoms Appear
Stem cell and bone marrow transplants can be lifesaving, but serious complications may arise months after patients leave the hospital. One of the most dangerous is chronic graft-versus-host disease, in... Read moreTechnology
view channel
Blood Test “Clocks” Predict Start of Alzheimer’s Symptoms
More than 7 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s disease, and related health and long-term care costs are projected to reach nearly USD 400 billion in 2025. The disease has no cure, and symptoms often... Read more
AI-Powered Biomarker Predicts Liver Cancer Risk
Liver cancer, or hepatocellular carcinoma, causes more than 800,000 deaths worldwide each year and often goes undetected until late stages. Even after treatment, recurrence rates reach 70% to 80%, contributing... Read more
Robotic Technology Unveiled for Automated Diagnostic Blood Draws
Routine diagnostic blood collection is a high‑volume task that can strain staffing and introduce human‑dependent variability, with downstream implications for sample quality and patient experience.... Read more
ADLM Launches First-of-Its-Kind Data Science Program for Laboratory Medicine Professionals
Clinical laboratories generate billions of test results each year, creating a treasure trove of data with the potential to support more personalized testing, improve operational efficiency, and enhance patient care.... Read moreIndustry
view channel
QuidelOrtho Collaborates with Lifotronic to Expand Global Immunoassay Portfolio
QuidelOrtho (San Diego, CA, USA) has entered a long-term strategic supply agreement with Lifotronic Technology (Shenzhen, China) to expand its global immunoassay portfolio and accelerate customer access... Read more







