Researchers Develop Noninvasive Urine Test for Early Detection of Cervical Cancer Virus Proteins

Researchers from the Department of Biology at Waseda University in Japan have partnered with Dr. Martin Müller from the German Cancer Research Center, Germany to develop an ultrasensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect high-risk HPV16 E7 oncoproteins in urine.

 

Professor Etsuro Ito led the team along with Professor Toshiyuki Sasagawa from Kanazawa Medical University, Japan, Dr. Müller. 

 

Findings were published in Microorganisms journal on 14 June 2024.

 

This new urine test offers a noninvasive alternative, which could encourage more women to screen regularly. Rather than involving a Pap smear or an HPV DNA test, researchers used ELISA to detect the E7 oncoproteins in urine samples. 

 

The test was able to identify these proteins in the urine of women with different stages of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), a precursor to cervical cancer. The ELISA test detected E7 proteins in 80% of women with CIN1, 71% with CIN2, and 38% with CIN3, suggesting that the presence of E7 oncoproteins correlates with lower-grade CIN lesions. The researchers theorize that this discrepancy may be due to variations in the HPV life cycle or oncogenic activity.

 

 

Ito explained, “Cancer can be prevented by vaccination before it develops and by regular screening. But screening is a big hurdle for young women. Our new urine test can detect HPV16 E7 proteins, which are critical markers of cervical cancer risk, at extremely low levels. This means that women may be able to screen for cervical cancer without the discomfort and inconvenience of a traditional Pap test.”

 

This innovative approach aligns with global health goals to reduce cervical cancer rates, especially in low- and middle-income countries where access to traditional screening methods is limited. It offers a promising solution to increase screening rates and reduce the incidence of cervical cancer worldwide.

 

Ito added, “We believe that the E7 oncoprotein is critical in the early stages of HPV-related cervical carcinogenesis and E7 may play a more significant role in the progression of CIN1 and CIN2 than in CIN3.”

 

“This new method holds great promise for early detection and prevention of cervical cancer. We are optimistic that further development and validation of this assay will lead to its widespread use in clinical settings,” Ito concluded.