Inside India's new cervical cancer test that detects dangerous HPV strains in minutes

Researchers have validated India's first homegrown HPV test. The new and improved test could make cervical cancer screening more affordable and accessible.

In Short

• Researchers formally validated a reduced-valency test targeting eight high-risk HPV strains
• The device detects viral DNA automatically, limiting interpretation errors in screening
• Focusing on the riskiest strains improves specificity and cuts unnecessary follow-ups

India has achieved a major milestone in the fight against cervical cancer, with researchers validating the country's first indigenous HPV DNA test that meets international standards for cervical cancer screening.

The findings, published in the International Journal of Cancer, showed that Molbio Diagnostics' Truenat HPV-HR Plus satisfies the validation criteria laid down by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the cancer research arm of the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The study was conducted by a consortium of Indian and international institutions, including AIIMS New Delhi, ICMR-National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health, IARC in France, and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council under the Department of Biotechnology.

Cervical cancer is among the leading causes of cancer deaths among women in India. WHO recommends HPV DNA testing over Pap smears because it is more sensitive in detecting high-risk HPV infections that can eventually lead to cancer.

Researchers said the validation comes at an important time as India expands HPV vaccination and strengthens screening programmes for women aged above 30 years.

The study also marks the world's first formal validation of a reduced-valency HPV test, which focuses on the eight HPV strains most strongly linked to cervical cancer rather than the conventional 14 strains.

Scientists say this approach could make screening more affordable and practical for low-resource settings.

HOW DOES THE TEST WORK?

The Truenat HPV-HR Plus test uses automated molecular technology to detect the DNA of eight high-risk HPV types responsible for most cervical cancer cases.

Unlike traditional Pap smears or visual inspection methods that depend on human interpretation, the device amplifies and identifies viral genetic material, making the process more accurate and reducing the risk of human error.

By concentrating only on the most dangerous HPV strains, the test avoids picking up many temporary infections that would clear naturally.

This improves specificity and reduces unnecessary follow-up procedures, additional costs and anxiety for patients.

Researchers found that the eight-valent test not only met international benchmarks but also showed excellent accuracy in detecting precancerous lesions.

Since the Truenat platform is already widely used across India for diagnosing infectious diseases, experts believe the HPV test can be quickly incorporated into existing healthcare systems.

They say the availability of an affordable, homegrown and internationally validated test could expand screening, particularly in underserved regions, and support India's long-term goal of eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem.

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