Roche has announced the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) approval of the CINtec® PLUS Cytology test, designed to improve the detection and early intervention of pre-cancerous cervical disease.
A multi-center study of five participating hospitals throughout China revealed greater overall performance of combined sensitivity and specificity of the CINtec® PLUS Cytology test in determining which women are at higher risk of developing cervical cancer when compared to conventional screening methods like Pap cytology. This is consistent with previously published data and supported the approval of the test by the CFDA.
Virtually all cervical cancer is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infections1, but only women with persistent HPV infections who have developed high-grade pre-cancerous cervical disease should be treated. The CINtec® PLUS Cytology test was developed to detect two biomarkers associated with persistent HPV infections that may lead to cancer, distinguishing them from those that are likely to resolve on their own.
About 62,000 new cases of cervical cancer are reported annually in China, and about 30,000 women in China die from the disease every year2.
"With the launch of the fully automated CINtec® PLUS Cytology test, we can offer women in China the most comprehensive cervical cancer screening portfolio in the industry, thus fulfilling our commitment of preventing these women from developing cervical cancer," said Wong Fatt Heng, General Manager, Roche Diagnostics China. "The CINtec® PLUS Cytology test helps reduce over-diagnosis and improves the detection of pre-cancerous cervical disease, allowing early intervention."
"The CINtec® PLUS Cytology test is a powerful technology in the fight against cervical disease and is an important component of the Roche cervical cancer prevention portfolio," said Ann Costello, Head, Roche Tissue Diagnostics. "Human papillomavirus is the known cause of cervical cancer and is highly preventable. Now that a full range of Roche's clinically-validated cervical cancer products—thecobas® HPV Test for screening, CINtec® PLUS Cytology and CINtec® Histology for triage and diagnosis—are approved by the CFDA, our ability to impact the burden of this disease on a global scale is dramatically increased."
Now available in China, Europe, Asia, Latin America and Canada, the fully automated CINtec® PLUS Cytology test can be performed using the company's network of more than 10,000 diagnostic instruments installed worldwide.