SGO white paper reviews current status of HPV typing, its benefits and deficiencies

Paper Provides Guidance to Clinicians Administering Advanced HPV Screening Technologies and its Future Research Needs

The Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO) has published its second in a series of four papers on a variety of cervical cancer issues and topics that were the focus of its Forum "The Future Strategies for Cervical Cancer Prevention: What Do We Need to Do Now to Prepare."  The paper, entitled "What is the Role of HPV Typing in the United States Now and in the Next Five Years in a Vaccinated Population?" is featured in the May, 2009 issue of Gynecologic Oncology and reviews the current status of HPV typing, its benefits and deficiencies, as well as the additional research needed to make HPV typing a fully practical screening tool against cervical cancer.  

Dr. Warner Huh, the paper's lead author, takes an in depth look at how the FDA approval of a HPV genotyping test has the potential to affect clinical decisions; specifically whether its implementation would be cost beneficial, while decreasing the incidence of cervical disease. Notably, he states that while HPV testing can improve the sensitivity and negative predictive value of screening and allow for reassurance for extended intervals between screening tests, the Forum's panel of physicians agreed that HPV typing alone should not be used to determine who should be vaccinated against HPV.

"As HPV typing technologies continue to gain traction in the United States, its appropriate use will depend on several variables," explains Dr. Huh. "The evolving natural history of the vaccinated cohort, continued educational efforts by healthcare providers and creating an integrated approach to cervical cancer prevention will all need to be evaluated in order to see a greater decrease in the incidence of cervical disease in the U.S. without increasing costs."

"The Future Strategies of Cervical Cancer Prevention: What Do We Need to Do Now to Prepare" Forum focused on cervical cancer in the HPV vaccine era and was attended by more than 50 thought-leaders and cervical cancer experts. Sessions explored issues and concerns of public policy, clinical and cost effective issues surrounding the future of cervical cancer prevention as the HPV vaccination is more widely implemented across the country. In addition to Dr. Huh's manuscript, subsequent white papers are being developed for publication discussed at the Forum including, the barriers of HPV vaccination in high risk populations and policies influencing HPV vaccination and screening.

"The impressive data garnered from this meeting and shared through this series of white papers will serve as an invaluable tool to our colleagues who, like us, share our vision of eradicating women's cancers," explains Daniel Clarke-Pearson, MD, SGO President. "As a premier source of education in gynecologic oncology, our Society is committed to providing the most current data and late-breaking research studies for the good of our subspecialty, our peers, and most importantly, our patients."