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‹ Wed · 22 Apr 2026
Early cancer detection or prevention

Nanoplate based digital PCR assay for effective quantification of plasma HPV circulating tumor DNA

A blood test tracking HPV DNA reliably predicted whether cervical cancer would return or stay gone, offering doctors a simpler way to monitor treatment without repeated biopsies.

A multiplex nanoplate digital PCR assay for HPV ctDNA (types 16, 18, 31) was validated in 87 cervical cancer patients, achieving 98% sensitivity and 100% specificity for pre-treatment detection. Longitudinal HPV ctDNA monitoring reliably predicted disease relapse and remission, supporting clinical translation as a minimally invasive monitoring tool.

What the study was

Study design
Prospective clinical validation study (registered RCT, CTRI/2020/01/022862)
Population
Cervical cancer patients (pre-treatment and follow-up)
Sample size
87
Category
Early Detection
Maturity
Validated
Journal
NPJ Precision Oncology

Why it surfaced

High sensitivity/specificity validated prospective ctDNA assay for cervical cancer monitoring in registered clinical trial; ctDNA clearance predicts remission with potential to replace or complement imaging surveillance.

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