Human papillomavirus DNA testing for the detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 and cancer: 5-year follow-up of a randomised controlled implementation trial

NWJ Bulkmans, J. Berkhof, L. Rozendaal, FJ van Kemenade, AJP Boeke, S. Bulk, FJ Voorhorst, RHM Verheijen, K. van Groningen, ME Boon, W. Ruitinga, M. van Ballegooijen, PJF Snijders, CJLM Meijer*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

543 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Tests for the DNA of high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) have a higher sensitivity for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 or worse (CIN3+) than does cytological testing, but the necessity of such testing in cervical screening has been debated. Our aim was to determine whether the effectiveness of cervical screening improves when HPV DNA testing is implemented. Methods: Women aged 29-56 years who were participating in the regular cervical screening programme in the Netherlands were randomly assigned to combined cytological and HPV DNA testing or to conventional cytological testing only. After 5 years, combined cytological and HPV DNA testing were done in both groups. The primary outcome measure was the number of CIN3+ lesions detected. Analyses were done by intention to treat. This trial is registered as an International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial, number ISRCTN20781131. Findings: 8575 women in the intervention group and 8580 in the control group were recruited, followed up for sufficient time (≥6·5 years), and met eligibility criteria for our analyses. More CIN3+ lesions were detected at baseline in the intervention group than in the control group (68/8575 vs 40/8580, 70% increase, 95% CI 15-151; p=0·007). The number of CIN3+ lesions detected in the subsequent round was lower in the intervention group than in the control group (24/8413 vs 54/8456, 55% decrease, 95% CI 28-72; p=0·001). The number of CIN3+ lesions over the two rounds did not differ between groups. Interpretation: The implementation of HPV DNA testing in cervical screening leads to earlier detection of CIN3+ lesions. Earlier detection of such lesions could permit an extension of the screening interval.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1764-1772
Number of pages9
JournalLancet (UK)
Volume370
Issue number9601
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 24 Nov 2007

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The study was funded by ZON, Zorg Onderzoek Nederland (Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development; grant 30-05220). We gratefully acknowledge the work of the 242 general practitioners and their assistants, the Municipal Health Service Southwest of Amsterdam, Medial, and DHV Kennemerland-Haarlemmermeer e.o. and PALGA. We especially thank research staff and technicians of the Unit Molecular Pathology, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam for HPV DNA testing, the cytotechnologists for cytological testing and logistics, and the administrative co-workers and the information technology team of the Department of Pathology, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, for their supportive work. We would like to dedicate this manuscript to Jan M M Walboomers, who passed away on Feb 2, 2000, and who was a devoted initiator of the POBASCAM trial.

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