Vânia da Silva

Performance of a New Brazilian Self-Sampling Device for High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Screening

To evaluate the performance of a new Brazilian self-sampling device (COARI®) compared with clinician-collected samples for high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) detection and partial typing. This diagnostic agreement study included 57 women who underwent routine cervical screening or follow-up at a private health center in Maringá, Brazil, between May and October 2023. Each participant provided two samples: a self-collected vaginal sample using the COARI® device (Kolplast, Brazil) and a clinician-collected cervical sample. Both were tested using the Cobas® HPV 4800 assay (Roche, USA), which detects HPV16, HPV18, and a pooled group of 12 other hrHPV types. hrHPV detection was significantly higher in self-collected samples than in clinician-collected ones (52.9% vs. 37.2%; P = 0.008). The Overall agreement between sampling methods was 84.3%. All discordant cases (15.7%) were hrHPV-positive in self-collected samples and negative in clinician-collected specimens, suggesting potentially greater sensitivity for self-sampling. The COARI® device showed 100% sensitivity and a 100% negative predictive value, with an overall accuracy of 84.3%. The COARI® self-sampling device demonstrated reliable and effective performance for hrHPV detection and partial typing, showing strong potential to increase access to and coverage of cervical cancer screening in Brazil. Further studies with larger and more diverse populations are needed to validate these findings and inform public health implementation.

Chrysin induces cell death and inhibits migration and invasion in squamous cervical carcinoma using a three-dimensional cell culture model

Cervical cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide, despite treatment advances. The most common form is squamous cell cervical carcinoma, primarily associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16. Chrysin (5,7-dihydroxyflavone) is a natural flavonoid with promising anticancer properties both in vitro and in vivo. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiproliferative, anti-migratory, and anti-invasive effects of chrysin on the SiHa human cervical cancer cell line (HPV-16-positive) using a 3D cell culture model with spheroids. Cell viability was assessed using the resazurin assay, while cytostatic effects were monitored by measuring spheroid size through imaging. Migration was evaluated with the spheroid migration assay. The expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was quantified by immunoenzymatic assays. Chrysin treatment exhibited concentration-dependent cytotoxic and cytostatic effects, reducing cell proliferation and decreasing SiHa spheroid size. Additionally, chrysin inhibited cell migration and invasion, potentially reducing metastatic potential, primarily by decreasing the production of MMP-2 and VEGF. These findings suggest that chrysin has therapeutic potential for squamous cell cervical carcinoma and warrants further in vivo preclinical studies.