Cervical cancer New diagnostic test?

Cervical cancer: Soon new diagnostic test?
Cervical cancer on the trail. Researchers at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg and Roche Molecular Systems of Pleasanton, California are working together to develop a diagnostic test to detect malignant cell changes in the cervix.

Early detection of cervical cancer
For the early detection of cervical cancer is currently usually a smear taken from the cervix, which is then examined for the genotype of carcinogenic human papillomavirus (HPV). Human papilloma viruses can cause malignant changes in the cells of the cervical mucosa if they persist and are considered to be one of the most common causes of cervical cancer. If the DNA of carcinogenic viruses is detected in the first sample, the suspicion must be examined more closely and, if necessary, a tissue sample should be taken. Most of the time, however, the initial suspicion of malignant disease in the second study is debilitated. According to Professor Lutz Gissmann from the German Cancer Research Center, „that many women unnecessarily have to undergo a follow-up examination and tissue sampling. Quite apart from the associated risks, those concerned unnecessarily frighten. "The existing test method with the search for residues of HPV DNA serves as a non-invasive method of detecting an infection with the carcinogenic viruses, but is correspondingly inaccurate or there is a need in the rule of several investigations.

Detection of malignant tissue changes based on the cell material in the smear
Therefore, the scientists of the German Cancer Research Center have been looking for a long time for a method to detect malignant changes directly from the cell material at the first swab. Now, the DKFZ researchers have scientifically proven that the number of certain gene transcripts ("RNA transcripts") of the papillomavirus in infected cells can be considered a safe indicator of malignant tissue change in the cervix. To further develop the analytical technique into a diagnostic test, the DKFZ will in future cooperate with the researchers of Roche Molecular Systems.

Development of a diagnostic test - DKFZ and Roche cooperate for three years
From September 2010, the DKFZ and Roche will cooperate scientifically for three years to develop a corresponding diagnostic test. „Our researchers are among the world's leading HPV experts - Roche has the expertise to further develop such a laboratory procedure into a test that can be routinely used in the laboratory, "said Dr. Ruth Herzog, director of the Technology Transfer Office at the German Cancer Research Center. In future, the DKFZ will conduct its research on Roche's own platforms, enabling technology and knowledge transfer to be directly integrated into Roche's diagnostic product line, and both Roche and the DKFZ believe that the new diagnostic tests will make many women unnecessary Examinations and tissue samples can be spared.

Human papillomavirus major cause of cervical cancer
Human papillomaviruses are considered the leading cause of malignant cervical cancer. According to the experts, 99 percent of these cancers are caused by chronic HPV infections. Human papilloma viruses can also trigger other diseases such as genital warts on the genitalia, but of the more than 140 different HPV types, only 13 to 16 are currently considered to be high-risk factors for the development of precancerous lesions and cervical cancer. According to the experts, HPV 16 and 18 alone are detected in 70 percent of all cases of cervical cancer.

DKFZ - largest biomedical research institution in Germany
As the largest biomedical research institution in Germany, the DKFZ has been researching mechanisms of carcinogenesis and the detection of cancer risk factors for many years. Over 2,200 employees, including more than 1, 000 scientists, work at the DKFZ and work out the foundations for the development of new approaches in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. In addition, education is one of the main topics at the DKFZ. Employees of the Cancer Information Service (KID) educate cancer patients, relatives and interested citizens about the widespread disease of cancer. 90% of the budget of the DKFZ is provided by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and 10% by the state of Baden-Württemberg. (12.10.2010, fp)