Developing a Combined Molecular Screening and Triage Test for Cervical Cancer in Self-samples

The goal of the COMBISCREEN project is to develop a fully molecular cervical screening and triage approach that is applicable on self-samples, which are an easily accessible and non-invasive source of biomarkers. The project allows a one-step screening and triage modality and thereby identifies women with clinically relevant disease that are in need of treatment.

Currently, there is still 37% of the Flemish population eligible for cervical cancer screening that remains un(der)screened. Self-collected urine and vaginal samples that can be collected from home and are non-invasive provide an attractive alternative for this group. The aim of this study is to collect different samples from patients with a cervical cancer or a scheduled conization in order to identify potential biomarkers for cervical cancer and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). These samples include a home-collected first-void urine (Colli-Pee 20mL prefilled with urine conservation medium (UCM)) and vaginal self-sample (Evalyn Brush), as well as a clinician collected cervical smear, blood sample and when appropriate also a tissue sample. A tissue sample will only be collected when the patient is undergoing surgical procedures for their standard therapy. As such, they do not undergo additional invasive procedures as part of the study. The samples are collected prior to starting therapeutic processes (e.g. conization, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery…). The presence of biomarkers (e.g. human papillomavirus (HPV) and DNA methylation) for cervical cancer and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) will be determined and compared in each of the sample types. The results of the biomarker assays will also be compared to clinical results from cytology and histology in order to determine the accuracy.