LaoCol-VP: Performance of careHPV™ human papillomavirus screening versus pap smear for the detection of cervical precancerous lesions and cancer among HIV infected women in Lao PDR

3^rd International Conference on HIV/AIDS, STDs & STIs

November 30 - December 02, 2015 Atlanta, USA

Christophe Longuet

Fondation M�©rieux Lyon, France

Keynote: J AIDS Clin Res

Abstract :

In the absence of a national prevention program, it has been estimated that only 3.9% of women benefit from pap smear screening in Lao PDR where cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women. The present study is a transversal multicenter trial aiming to assess the performance of human papillomavirus screening with careHPV�, a DNA-test that can easily be performed and does not require sophisticated laboratory infrastructure, versus pap smear, for the detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and invasive cervical cancer among HIV-infected women in Lao PDR. It is hypothesized that careHPV� will help diagnose more precancerous lesions and cervical cancers than the pap smear, among this population with higher risk of such events. The cost-effectiveness of this strategy will also be evaluated. The expected impact of LaoCol-VP is increased awareness and capacity among the health professionals. The study will also help inform the health policy makers of Lao PDR. Cancer treatment will be provided for free. After clearance by the National Ethics Committee for Health Research, the study has been systematically proposed to all women from 25 to 65 years living with HIV, attending the four main HIV reference centers in Laos, until the target number of 600 women has been achieved. From January 2014 to May 2015, 644 women have been enrolled after written informed consent. They have all benefitted from a careHPV� test, a pap-smear and a colposcopy. When anomalies were found, biopsies and anatomopathology were performed. Preliminary results will be presented.

Biography :

Christophe Longuet, MD, MPH, is the Medical Director of Fondation Mérieux, a foundation of charity status dedicated to strengthening capacities in developing countries to reduce the impact of infectious diseases on vulnerable populations. Medical doctor from Reims University, France, specializing in tropical diseases and HIV, he has participated since 1995 in clinical research into HIV. Fondation Mérieux has been contributing to laboratory capacity building against Ebola in Guinea and other West African countries. He has been involved in clinical care and research on Ebola virus disease.

Email: christophe.longuet@fondation-merieux.org