"HPV Detection Through Urine Testing"…Opening New Possibilities for Cervical Cancer Diagnosis

Urine-Based HPV Testing Shows High Diagnostic Accuracy
as a Non-Invasive Alternative for Early Cervical Cancer Detection

A new study has found that urine-based human papillomavirus (HPV) testing could serve as a novel alternative for the early detection of cervical cancer.

Byungmin Park, Head of Diagnostic Laboratory Medicine, National Cancer Center

The National Cancer Center announced on August 25 that the research team led by Byungmin Park, Head of Diagnostic Laboratory Medicine, systematically analyzed studies published over the past decade (2014-2024) and evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of urine-based HPV testing.

HPV infection is the most significant risk factor for cervical cancer, with approximately 70% of all cervical cancer cases caused by HPV types 16 and 18. While cervical cancer can be effectively treated if detected early at the precancerous stage, screening participation rates vary greatly depending on the country and region. In particular, regions with limited medical infrastructure face significant challenges in accessing screening, making early diagnosis difficult.

This study is notable for its comprehensive analysis of 15 papers collected from major domestic and international academic databases, comparing and evaluating the diagnostic performance of conventional cervical cytology and urine-based HPV testing. The findings suggest the potential of urine-based HPV testing as a new alternative for cervical cancer screening in the future.

Traditionally, HPV testing has relied on cervical cytology, which involves collecting cells directly from the cervix. However, in recent years, non-invasive and convenient urine-based HPV testing methods have been developed, leading to increased research in this area.

According to the study, urine-based real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) HPV testing demonstrated a sensitivity (the rate of correctly identifying the disease) of 82% and a specificity (the rate of correctly identifying those without the disease) of 91%. Since HPV, the primary cause of cervical cancer, mainly infects cervical epithelial cells, urine-based testing may be somewhat less effective in detecting the virus compared to samples collected directly from the cervix. Nevertheless, considering its high sensitivity, specificity, and strong concordance with cervical samples, urine-based real-time PCR testing is suggested to be a sufficiently viable non-invasive alternative.

The research team stated, "Compared to traditional cervical cell sampling, urine-based HPV testing poses less psychological and physical burden, making it easier for individuals who previously avoided screening due to discomfort or fear to participate. We believe this study will significantly contribute to expanding self-screening and improving access to testing, helping more people take a step closer to preventing cervical cancer."

The results of this study were published in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology, an international journal issued by the American Society for Microbiology (ASM).