Jiangrong Wang

Cervical screening faces challenges due to the declining quality of the routine cytology test, resulting in missed precancerous lesions and, consequently, increased cancer incidence in Sweden and other countries. Despite the introduction of HPV vaccination, screening remains essential, especially for unvaccinated populations and because of vaccine limitations. Our project addresses this issue by advancing cervical screening through the implementation of the WID-qCIN test, a promising DNA methylation marker which demonstrates superior accuracy in detecting precancerous lesions compared to cytology, as shown in our recent research. We aim to conduct a clinical trial to confirm its superiority over cytology and explore its extended uses for 1) potentially improved performance in conjunction with other screening indicators, 2) predicting the regression of moderate precancers in young women, and 3) adding value for older women who are about to exit the screening program with varied screening histories. During 2026-2029, the applicant will actively lead this project and establish a multidisciplinary team across epidemiology, gynaecology and molecular biology. By bridging research with clinical implementation, our project seeks to revolutionise cervical screening, mitigate the impact of the declining quality of cytology, and eventually accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer in Sweden and worldwide.

Cervical cancer screening faces challenges due to declining cytology quality, leading to missed precancerous lesions and increased cancer incidence in Sweden and other countries. Despite the advent of HPV vaccination, screening remains crucial, especially for unvaccinated populations and due to vaccine limitations. Our project addresses this issue by advancing cervical cancer screening through the implementation of WID-qCIN, a promising DNA methylation test. Developed through extensive collaboration and utilizing Stockholm biobanked samples, WID-qCIN demonstrates superior accuracy in detecting precancerous lesions compared to cytology. Through a comprehensive clinical trial, we aim to validate WID-qCIN's effectiveness, focusing on improving detection accuracy and reducing unnecessary clinical referrals. Additionally, our investigation includes optimizing WID-qCIN for self-collected samples, aiming to enhance accessibility and participation in screening programs. By bridging research with clinical implementation, our project seeks to revolutionize cervical cancer screening, mitigating the impact of declining cytology quality and reducing disease burden in Sweden and globally.