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Development of a new low cost computer assisted visual Cervical Cancer Screening method

Not yet recruiting
Conditions
Cervical Cancer Screening
Registration Number
CTRI/2019/11/021904
Lead Sponsor
Tata Memorial Center TMC
Brief Summary

In the current study, we propose to develop further and evaluate the accuracy of a recently developed, promising, low-cost visual screening approach—automated visual evaluation (AVE)based on computer-based deep learning of cervical images collected using a mobile device. Specifically, we will train and assess an algorithm for the diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3 or greater (CIN3+) for: 1) primary screening and 2) triage of HPV-positive women for colposcopy. We propose to conduct a community-based cross-sectional screening study of 20,000 women aged 25 to 49 years in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh and Sangrur, Punjab. Screening procedures will include VIA and HPV testing using BD Onclarity, an approved clinical assay that yields HPV type as well as positivity/negativity.  At the time of VIA, a digital camera image will be taken to train the AVE algorithm (which will not be used clinically).  Women positive for VIA or HPV will be referred to colposcopy, biopsy and treatment.  The scientific standard of disease will be based on histopathology of the colposcopically directed biopsies.

 This study will result in the development and internal validation of an AVE score (range=0 to 1) for accurate and efficient identification of women with CIN3+. We hypothesize that an AVE algorithm using images collected through a mobile phone in India, Brazil, Nigeria, Zambia and few other small network sites will provide good discrimination and calibration.  Additionally, based on the data published to date, we hypothesize that AVE will outperform (increase sensitivity/specificity) VIA as both a primary screening method and triage method of HPV-positive women in the split-sample validation set, though we are not powering this study to specifically compare the performance of AVE in a blinded fashion to VIA and the primary aim of the study is to train the algorithm.

Upon successful completion of this study, we plan to independently validate the AVE in a separate study. This latter study will be conducted as a formal efficacy trial, with comparison of AVE to VIA. Importantly, if successfully shown to be more accurate as a screening method than VIA, AVE will be scaled up under the auspices of WHO as a mobile phone application for broad public health use, independent of patent/commercial interests.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
Not Yet Recruiting
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
20000
Inclusion Criteria
  • Language: able to speak/understand Hindi or Punjabi.
  • Mental competence: apparently mentally competent.
  • Provision of written informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria

Current pregnancy; -History of cervical cancer; -History of hysterectomy; -History of having undergone LEEP or cold-cone partial removal of the cervix; -Heavy menstrual bleeding (if the woman prefers not to be examined).

Study & Design

Study Type
Interventional
Study Design
Not specified
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
-Development and internal validation of a deep-learning based algorithm for automated visual evaluation (AVE) of cervical images captured through a mobile phone for the identification of histopathologically confirmed CIN3+/AIS for: 1) primary screening and 2) triage of HPV-positive women for colposcopy12 months
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
-Sensitivity & specificity of AVE algorithm as a primary screening method and as a triage-method for HPV-positive women in the internal validation set-Prevalence & carcinogenicity of specific HPV genotypes/variants by host ancestry

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital (HBCH)

🇮🇳

Sangrur, PUNJAB, India

Mahamana Pandit Madanmohan Malviya Cancer Centre (MPMMCC)

🇮🇳

Varanasi, UTTAR PRADESH, India

Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital (HBCH)
🇮🇳Sangrur, PUNJAB, India
Dr Amita Maheshwari
Principal investigator
02224177191
maheshwariamita@yahoo.com

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