A New Molecular Cervical Cancer Test Will Aid Accurate Diagnosis

September 2012, Vol 3, No 6

Quest Diagnostics, the leading provider of diagnostic testing, has introduced a new laboratory test that identifies molecular changes to cervical cells that may signal increased risk for cervical cancer. “Given that medical guidelines now advise less frequent cervical cancer screening for women, it is more important than ever that testing for this cancer be highly reliable,” said Daniel M. Jones, MD, PhD, Medical Director, Cancer Diagnostics Services, Quest Diagnostics. “Testing for abnormalities of the TERC gene is based on the most advanced scientific knowledge available of the molecular changes that turn cervical dysplasia into malignancy. It can potentially act like a ‘second opinion’ for the thousands of women whose Pap and HPV test results produce an indeterminate picture of cancer risk each year.”

This Cervical Cancer TERC test is based on the TERC gene marker that is under patent license from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIH research has shown that the TERC gene is amplified, indicated by an abnormal number of copies of the gene on chromosome arm 3q, in the precursor cells of cervical cancer; therefore, it may be useful in the identification of women at risk.

The test is designed as an adjunct to conventional Pap and human papillomavirus tests, and is performed on residual samples from Pap tests. The test may be particularly helpful in evaluating the 1.5 million American women whose Pap test shows low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions. Because cervical cancer is often not symptomatic until advanced disease, accurate screening is crucial to detect early cellular abnormalities. Quest Diagnostics; August 30, 2012.

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