Prediction of cervical cancer precursor lesions by quantitative methylation specific PCR: A retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE

This study was undertaken to evaluate the performance of FAM19A4 and hsa-mir-124-2 hypermethylation as a triage tool for women who are at risk of developing cervical cancer or high-grade cervical cancer precursor lesions by taking into consideration the cytology report, histology diagnosis, and human papillomavirus (HPV) status.

METHODS

A total of 330 cervical ThinPrep samples were retrospectively collected and used for DNA isolation. HPV DNA was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and HPV genotypes were identified by Sanger-based sequencing. DNA extracts were bisulphite-treated, and hypermethylation of FAM19A4 and hsa-mir-124-2 genes was detected by a quantitative methylation-specific PCR (qMSP) test using the QIAsure Methylation assay.

RESULTS

Hypermethylated genes were detected in 27 (9.6%) cervical samples, mostly found in women diagnosed with high-grade squamous intraepithelial legions (77.8%) or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 (CIN3) (72.7%). The sensitivity and the specificity of the qMSP test for predicting CIN3 lesions among women with high-risk HPV was 75% and 91%, respectively.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: There was a significant correlation between high-grade cervical cancer precursor lesions and detection of hypermethylated genes in samples positive for high-risk HPV. Our results suggest that the QIAsure Methylation test can be used as a triage tool to identify women at risk for cervical cancer progression.