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OBJECTIVES: The integration of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) detection into cervical cancer screening in Poland aims to improve early detection, yet challenges in coverage and adherence persist. Innovative approaches, like sampling for HPV testing and cytology outside medical settings, have been proposed. This study assesses the feasibility and agreement of results between traditional and novel sampling methods. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cohort of 50 women aged 25-74 underwent HPV DNA and liquid-based cytology sampling both in-office using standard method and outside the medical setting by trained personnel. Samples were analyzed for HPV DNA using Real-Time PCR and cytology according to the Bethesda System. RESULTS: Cytology and HPV DNA positivity rates showed substantial agreement between methods, with almost perfect agreement for high-risk HPV types. Visual assessment of the cervix was successfully conducted in all cases. Preliminary results suggest remote sampling for HPV DNA and cytology is a viable alternative to traditional methods, with the effectiveness in detecting HPV and cytological abnormalities comparable to this reported in literature, offering potential benefits for individuals with mobility limitations or logistical barriers to attending medical appointments. CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights the potential role of remote sampling for HPV DNA and cytology in enhancing cervical cancer screening accessibility and adherence. Implementation of such methods could improve coverage, particularly among underserved populations. Further research is needed to validate and optimize these approaches for broader clinical use.
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Epithelial ovarian cancer has the highest mortality of all gynecological cancers, and its progression is often without symptoms. Clinical outcome and survival may be improved if the disease is identified in the early stages. The objective of the study was to evaluate the utility of the serum biomarkers human epididymis protein 4 (HE4), soluble mesothelin-related protein (SMRP) and CA125 in the detection of ovarian cancer. In this retrospective study, the serum concentrations of CA125, HE4 protein and SMRP were measured in a cohort of 70 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) compared with 78 healthy controls. Median serum levels of CA125 for ovarian cancer cases were 503.55±560.7 U/ml vs. 9.28±14.47 U/ml in the control group (p<0.001); for SMRP 5.13±7.64 nM vs. 1.02±0.89 nM (p<0.01); and for HE4 597.95±934.59 pM vs. 56.75±43.79 pM (p<0.001), respectively. Positive correlations between the clinical stage of EOC and CA125, HE4 and SMRP serum concentrations were found [(R=0.83; p<0.001); (R=0.64; p<0.001); (R=0.45; p<0.001), respectively]. Data analysis for the whole study group also revealed a significant correlation between plasma concentrations of CA125 and HE4 (R=0.45; p<0.001), between CA125 and SMRP (R=0.38; p<0.001) as well as HE4 and SMRP (R=0.51; p<0.001). Similar significant correlations between serum biomarker concentrations were also found in the ovarian cancer group [CA125 and HE4 (R=0.31; p<0.01); CA125 and SMRP (R=0.25; p<0.05); HE4 and SMRP (R=0.44, p<0.001), respectively]. A significant correlation was observed between the serous histological type of EOC and serum concentration of HE4 in the study group compared with other non-serous types of ovarian cancer (p<0.01). In conclusion, measuring CA125 in combination with new biomarkers such as SMRP and HE4 may improve the accuracy of ovarian cancer diagnosis, particularly in early detection of the disease.
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AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of CA125 measurements in ovarian cancer diagnostics in pre- versus postmenopausal women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 99 serum specimens of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer (28 pre- and 71 postmenopausal). The control group consisted of 86 specimens collected from women without any ovarian pathology (34 pre- and 52 postmenopausal). CA 125 measurements were performed with Zymed Laboratories CA 125 ELISA Kit. Descriptive statistics, including mean values, standard deviation (SD) and 95CI of CA 125 among pre- and postmenopausal women, were calculated. The usefulness of CA 125 measurements in ovarian cancer diagnostics was assessed by calculating specificity sensitivity positive and negative predictive rates among pre- versus postmenopausal women. Statistical calculation was preformed with the use of STATISTICA 6.0 StatSoft Inc. (2001) software (wwwstatsoft. com). RESULTS: Higher CA 125 concentrations were observed in controls among pre- versus postmenopausal women (10.01 +/- 15.41; 95% CI: 4.63-15.39 IU/ml vs. 8.88 +/- 13.74; 95% CI: 5.06-12.71/U/ml, respectively NS). In contrary among women with ovarian cancer CA 125 levels were higher in postmenopausal women when compared to premenopausal (352.11 +/- 432.07; 95% CI: 184.57-519.65 vs. 541.59 +/- 547.98 95% CI: 411.89-671.29, respectively p < 0.05). In premenopausal group the CA 125 sensitivity was calculated at 64% whereas specificity 94.12% (FPR 5.9%; OR: 10.9), positive predictive value 90% and negative predictive value 94.12%. Among postmenopausal women results were as follows: sensitivity 88.73%, specificity 98.07% (FPR 1.9%, OR: 46.7), positive predictive value 98.44% and negative predictive value 86.44%. CONCLUSIONS: CA 125 measurements were more useful in the postmenopausal group. Higher CA 125 levels were observed in women with ovarian cancer diagnosis when compared to controls, in which lower CA 125 were observed. Higher sensitivity specificity and positive predictive values were observed in the postmenopausal group.