Conexiant
Login
  • The Analytical Scientist
  • The Cannabis Scientist
  • The Medicine Maker
  • The Ophthalmologist
  • The Pathologist
  • The Traditional Scientist
The Pathologist
  • Explore Pathology

    Explore

    • Latest
    • Insights
    • Case Studies
    • Opinion & Personal Narratives
    • Research & Innovations
    • Product Profiles

    Featured Topics

    • Molecular Pathology
    • Infectious Disease
    • Digital Pathology

    Issues

    • Latest Issue
    • Archive
  • Subspecialties
    • Oncology
    • Histology
    • Cytology
    • Hematology
    • Endocrinology
    • Neurology
    • Microbiology & Immunology
    • Forensics
    • Pathologists' Assistants
  • Training & Education

    Career Development

    • Professional Development
    • Career Pathways
    • Workforce Trends

    Educational Resources

    • Guidelines & Recommendations
    • App Notes

    Events

    • Webinars
    • Live Events
  • Events
    • Live Events
    • Webinars
  • Profiles & Community

    People & Profiles

    • Power List
    • Voices in the Community
    • Authors & Contributors
  • Multimedia
    • Video
    • Podcasts
Subscribe
Subscribe

False

The Pathologist / Issues / 2019 / Oct / Protecting Patients from Progression
Cytology Cytology Oncology Biochemistry and molecular biology

Protecting Patients from Progression

The first molecular prognostic test for cervical dysplasia may help determine the need for treatment

By Michael Schubert 10/05/2019 Quick Read (pre 2022) 1 min read

Share

For patients who receive a diagnosis of cervical dysplasia, the future can be uncertain. Many cases resolve without treatment, but some progress to cancer. Deciding whether or not to undergo surgery – which carries risks to the patient’s sexual and psychological wellbeing and to potential future pregnancies – is challenging and, until now, there has been no way to predict which cases are most likely to progress.

Attila Lorincz, a researcher at Queen Mary University of London, seeks to change that with a molecular test. He and his colleagues applied the S5 DNA methylation panel to cervical cells from 149 patients with moderate (CIN2) cervical dysplasia (1). The test examines the methylation levels of specific target genes; patients who exhibit increased methylation are more likely to see a progression of disease. “The S5 test worked very well for other applications, such as finding severe disease that was missed by other tests,” Lorincz explains. “Therefore, it was reasonable to see if S5 could determine the risk for progression of moderate dysplasia to severe disease.”

The researchers also examined the sensitivity of testing via cytology or human papillomavirus genotyping. Of the three, the S5 classifier was the strongest single biomarker for predicting progression or persistence versus regression. So when might it begin showing up in laboratories? “The test needs to go into routine manufacturing and be proven safe and effective in studies directed to regulatory agencies. When approved by these oversight bodies, the test can become widely available to women on a routine basis,” says Lorincz. “I hope the test will reduce overtreatment of women with moderate cervical dysplasia, and eventually also reduce treatment of severe dysplasia.”

Credit: Wikipedia user KGH.

Newsletters

Receive the latest pathology news, personalities, education, and career development – weekly to your inbox.

Newsletter Signup Image

References

  1. K Louvanto et al., “Methylation in predicting progression of untreated high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia”, Clin Infect Dis, [Epub ahead of print] (2019). PMID: 31344234.

About the Author(s)

Michael Schubert

While obtaining degrees in biology from the University of Alberta and biochemistry from Penn State College of Medicine, I worked as a freelance science and medical writer. I was able to hone my skills in research, presentation and scientific writing by assembling grants and journal articles, speaking at international conferences, and consulting on topics ranging from medical education to comic book science. As much as I’ve enjoyed designing new bacteria and plausible superheroes, though, I’m more pleased than ever to be at Texere, using my writing and editing skills to create great content for a professional audience.

More Articles by Michael Schubert

Explore More in Pathology

Dive deeper into the world of pathology. Explore the latest articles, case studies, expert insights, and groundbreaking research.

False

Advertisement

Recommended

False

Related Content

Jan Silverman Paints a Picture of Pathology
Cytology
Painting a Picture of Pathology

January 14, 2022

4 min read

Sitting Down With… Jan Silverman, Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA

A (Consistently) Bright Future for Cytogenetics
Cytology
A (Consistently) Bright Future for Cytogenetics

January 25, 2022

1 min read

Enabling cytogenetic automation for the modern clinical diagnostics lab

Improving Cancer Survival
Cytology
Improving Cancer Survival

October 21, 2016

1 min read

Malignant effusions are increasingly relevant specimens in the era of targeted therapy

Breaking with Tradition
Cytology
Breaking with Tradition

October 21, 2016

1 min read

Can immunophenotyping challenge classical approaches to cytology?

False

The Pathologist
Subscribe

About

  • About Us
  • Work at Conexiant Europe
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2025 Texere Publishing Limited (trading as Conexiant), with registered number 08113419 whose registered office is at Booths No. 1, Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, England, WA16 8GS.