Nuclear Matrix Protein Test Detects Cervical Cancer

A study has shown that a cervical cancer test not only demonstrated high sensitivity for detecting high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) but may also provide a cost-effective easy way to manage low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) and equivocal Pap smears. Study data were presented at the 92nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, in New Orleans (LA, USA).

The test, called NMP179, was developed by Matritech, Inc. (Newton, MA, USA), based on the company's nuclear matrix protein (NMP) technology licensed from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The test was positive in 92.8% of cervical samples diagnosed as HSIL, versus 85.7% using the Hybrid Capture II test for human papilloma virus (HPV). The NMP179 test also detected fewer cases of LSIL (67.2% vs. 93.8% for HPV) and fewer cases of equivocal Pap smears, both of which are less likely to progress to cervical cancer.

Matritech is developing serum-, cell-, and urine-based NMP diagnostics to help doctors detect and monitor the presence of bladder, cervical, breast, colon, and prostate cancers.
"These data support our belief that NMP179 is highly sensitive in detecting HSIL,” said David L, Corbet, president of Matritech.




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