Technology pulse 2: Towards more effective healthcare - a compelling study.

A recent article by Racey et. al., titled “Self-collect HPV Testing Improves Participation in Cervical Cancer Screening: A Systemic Review and Meta-analysis”¹ addressed an often challenging question of how to increase the effectiveness and reach of screening programs.

Analytical performance of self-collection methods for cervical cancer screening

In terms of analytical performance, there is solid evidence that there is good agreement between a set of patients who self-collected sample and a clinician collected sample. 

Current status of- & innovations in cervical cancer screening

The main innovation in cervical cancer screening is the switch from cervical cytology to HR-HPV testing as a preliminary screen (as a rule out test). An important attribute of HR-HPV is that because it is more sensitive than cervical cytology for cervical precancer and cancer, it permits a safe extension of screening intervals among the negatives, which then results in less harm due to screening and potentially lower costs.

Technology pulse: Opportunties with a twist

In the December 2012 issue of GEN, it was reported that by 2014 the global in vitro diagnostics (IVD) market is forecasted to surpass the $50 billion milestone. The two key drivers of demand are infectious disease testing and an aging population that is growing more susceptible to chronic disease such as arthritis, autoimmune diseases, asthma, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases and cancer (which accounts for 12.5% of all deaths worldwide, more than HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria combined). Molecular diagnostics, which makes up more than 10% of the market, is one of the fastest growing segments with an 11% CAGR forecast. Together this means that molecular diagnostics will play an important role in these two market drivers.