The Distribution of HR-HPV E6/E7 DNA and mRNA by Histological Grade and the Clinical Performance for Detection of Cervical Cancer and Precancer

High-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) testing, utilizing both DNA and RNA methods, offers enhanced sensitivity compared to cytology for detecting high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2+). Meanwhile, HR-HPV E6 and E7 mRNAs are more likely to differentiate the transient infection from the persistent than DNA. Aptima HPV can not only detect HPV mRNA but also HPV DNA though it is much more efficient at detecting HPV RNA than DNA. Currently, there are few studies on the distribution of HPV E6 and E7 mRNA and DNA in the same individual. It is interesting to compare the clinical performance of the Onclarity and Aptima HPV assays and to assess variations in viral load across different histological grades at both DNA and mRNA levels. The analysis included 1607 women (902 from a cervical cancer screening population and 705 inpatients and outpatients), with cervical cytological samples tested using the Aptima and Onclarity HPV assays. Both assays demonstrated high agreement for HPV types 18/45 and 16. Signal-to-cutoff (S/CO) values and Ct values for various HR-HPV types increased with histological severity from normal tissue to cancer. Notably, HPV18 Ct values exceeded those for HPV16 and 45 in women with ≥ CIN1 lesions but decreased sharply in cancer cases. Across the screening population, both assays showed similar sensitivity and predictive values for detecting CIN2+ lesions. The area under the curve (AUC) for CIN2+ and CIN3+ detection in the study population was robust (CIN2+: 0.880, 0.863; CIN3+: 0.881, 0.863). The DNA level for various HR-HPV types increased with histological severity from normal tissue to cancer, which might impact the performance of Aptima HPV assay. Both assays showed similar sensitivity and predictive values for detecting CIN2+ lesions.