ASCCP guidelines highlight critical information for extended HPV genotyping

In a recent interview with Contemporary OB/GYN, Jeff Andrews, MD, FRCSC, vice president of medical affairs at BD Life Sciences, discussed the updated 2024 American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP) Risk-Based Management Guidelines for cervical cancer screening.

Andrews highlighted how the ASCCP initially shifted to risk-based guidelines, leveraging patient characteristics and test results to inform clinical actions such as colposcopy referrals. The 2024 update incorporates extended genotyping, enabling clinicians to account for additional human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes beyond HPV 16 and 18 when assessing risk.

The extended genotyping allows for a more tailored approach to managing cervical cancer risks. For example, HPV genotypes such as 56, 59, and 66, which carry low CIN3+ risk, now only require a repeat test in a year. On the other hand, HPV 16 or 18 positives can proceed directly to colposcopy without intermediary steps. This innovation is particularly relevant for self-collected samples, where cytology data may not be available at the time of testing.

Andrews emphasized BD’s role in the guidelines, noting their contribution to extended genotyping. While other assays exist, BD’s data and precision offer greater clarity in aligning test results with clinical recommendations. These advancements enhance the precision medicine approach, particularly as self-collection methods become more widespread in the United States over time.

For clinicians, the integration of extended genotyping into the ASCCP guidelines ensures practical utility through tools such as the updated ASCCP app. The app provides actionable recommendations based on genotyping results, supporting clinicians in managing cases consistently with the guidelines. Importantly, this guideline is considered “enduring,” evolving alongside advancements in technology and methods.

As the conversation closed, Andrews encouraged broad participation in cervical cancer screening, stressing its accessibility and critical role in early detection. He also mentioned upcoming guidelines for self-collection as a future topic of discussion.