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-11535269 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new HPV DNA test designed to be used at the point of care to screen for cervical cancer, especially in areas with limited medical infrastructure or rural 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) | $51,709 |
| NIH project number | 3U01CA292741-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11535269 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Women at risk for cervical cancer, especially in rural or resource-limited settings, who need accessible screening.
✕Less likely to help
Patients in well-resourced settings with easy access to standard screening may see fewer direct benefits.
What this research studies
This project aims to create a rapid, easy-to-use HPV DNA test that can be used where traditional lab services aren’t available. By simplifying the testing process and enabling same-visit results, it seeks to reduce the number of visits needed for screening and follow-up. The work is focused on a real-world setting, including resource-constrained environments in the US, to reach women who might otherwise miss screening opportunities. If successful, the test could speed up detection of precancerous changes and improve timely treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this test could make cervical cancer screening faster and more accessible, potentially reducing cancer deaths.
How similar studies have gone: Past efforts show that point-of-care tests can improve access, but this project is a novel integration for cervical cancer screening in constrained 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.