15 January 2024 | Silvia de Sanjosé, Rebecca B Perkins, Nicole Campos, Federica Inturrisi, Didem Egemen, Brian Befano, Ana Cecilia Rodriguez, Jose Jerónimo, Li C Cheung, Kanan Desai, Paul Han, Akiva P Novetsky, Abigail Ukwuani, Jenna Marcus, Syed Rakin Ahmed, Nicolas Wentzensen, Jayashree Kalpathy-Cramer, Mark Schiffman
The HPV-automated visual evaluation (PAVE) study is a multinational initiative aimed at advancing cervical cancer prevention in resource-constrained regions. The study involves two phases: efficacy and effectiveness. Phase 1 focuses on screening up to 100,000 women aged 25–49 across nine countries using self-sampled vaginal samples for hierarchical HPV evaluation. HPV-positive individuals undergo further evaluation, including pelvic exams, cervical imaging, and biopsies. Deep-learning-based automated visual evaluation (AVE) algorithms analyze images, assigning risk scores for precancer. Phase 2 evaluates the feasibility, acceptability, cost-effectiveness, and health communication of the PAVE strategy in clinical practice. The study aims to validate a screen-triage-treat protocol using innovative biomarkers to deliver an accurate, feasible, and cost-effective strategy for cervical cancer prevention in resource-limited areas. If validated, the PAVE strategy could be recommended for broader implementation, potentially expanding cervical cancer prevention worldwide. The study is currently underway, with preliminary results expected by early 2024.The HPV-automated visual evaluation (PAVE) study is a multinational initiative aimed at advancing cervical cancer prevention in resource-constrained regions. The study involves two phases: efficacy and effectiveness. Phase 1 focuses on screening up to 100,000 women aged 25–49 across nine countries using self-sampled vaginal samples for hierarchical HPV evaluation. HPV-positive individuals undergo further evaluation, including pelvic exams, cervical imaging, and biopsies. Deep-learning-based automated visual evaluation (AVE) algorithms analyze images, assigning risk scores for precancer. Phase 2 evaluates the feasibility, acceptability, cost-effectiveness, and health communication of the PAVE strategy in clinical practice. The study aims to validate a screen-triage-treat protocol using innovative biomarkers to deliver an accurate, feasible, and cost-effective strategy for cervical cancer prevention in resource-limited areas. If validated, the PAVE strategy could be recommended for broader implementation, potentially expanding cervical cancer prevention worldwide. The study is currently underway, with preliminary results expected by early 2024.