Point-of-care HPV DNA test to screen for cervical cancer in low-resource settings
Official title: Sample-to-answer HPV DNA nucleic acid test for cervical cancer screening in Mozambique
Funded at Rice University · NIH-11413575 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A fast, on-site HPV DNA test will be developed to screen for cervical cancer in places with limited medical resources, starting with populations in the United States and similar settings.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rice University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $586,825 |
| NIH project number | 5U01CA292741-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11413575 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Women and people with cervixes who are eligible for cervical cancer screening, particularly those in rural or resource-limited settings.
✕Less likely to help
Populations without access or need for cervical cancer screening in their current healthcare context may not gain direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to create a portable HPV DNA test that can be used at the point of care, reducing the need for multiple clinic visits. Researchers will adapt existing testing technology to work in resource-constrained environments and integrate it into a streamlined screening workflow. The goal is to shorten time to diagnosis and treatment by delivering results where patients are seen, especially in rural or underserved communities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the test could shorten the screening pathway and prevent cervical cancer through timely detection and treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work supports the feasibility of rapid HPV testing, but this project aims to advance point-of-care integration in real-world settings.
Where this research is happening
-
Rice University
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Richards-Kortum, Rebecca R. — Rice University
- Study coordinator: Richards-Kortum, Rebecca R.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
mSaada: a mobile tool to boost cervical cancer screening in western Kenya
A mobile app helps community health volunteers manage cervical cancer screening tasks and follow-up for women in low-resource areas.
-
HPV self-collection in HIV care to screen for cervical cancer in Ethiopia
A patient-centered program tests a simple HPV self-collection approach within HIV clinics in Ethiopia to help detect cervical cancer earlier.
-
HOPE-inG: Increasing cervical cancer screening for women with HIV in Ghana
A study tests a home-based HPV self-sampling approach plus a tailored communication plan to help women living with HIV in Ghana get screened more often for cervical cancer.
-
CODA-based cervical cancer screening for LMICs using CRISPR and fluorescence
A low-resource, rapid test called CODA uses CRISPR and light signals to detect cervical cancer markers in women in sub-Saharan Africa to improve screening.
-
CODA-based cervical cancer screening in low-resource settings
A new, quick, low-cost test using CRISPR and fluorescence readouts to help screen for cervical cancer in women in sub-Saharan Africa.
-
CATSystem: a digital tool to boost cervical cancer screening and follow-up in Kenya
A digital tracking system helps doctors and patients in Kenya improve cervical cancer screening, treatment referrals, and follow-up, especially for women living with HIV.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.