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New Delhi: On Friday, AIIMS initiated a multi-centre study, supported by DBT-BIRAC Grand Challenges India and in collaboration with WHO's International Agency for Research in Cancer (IARC), to develop and validate low-cost, point-of-care indigenous HPV tests for detecting cervical cancer. Dr. Neerja Bhatla, former head of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology department at AIIMS, Delhi, and Chief Coordinator of the Programme, announced that validation studies for three indigenous HPV tests would be conducted at AIIMS, New Delhi, National Institute of Cancer Prevention Research in Noida, and National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health in Mumbai. Dr. Bhatla emphasized the need for validation to international standards to attain WHO prequalification and ensure necessary quality assurance, given the present expensive and complex nature of HPV tests. Globally, cervical cancer ranks as the fourth most common cancer among women, while in India, it is the second most prevalent cancer in women after breast cancer. Dr. Bhatla noted that every two minutes, a woman succumbs to cervical cancer worldwide. According to GLOBOCAN 2022, approximately 663,301 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer worldwide, with around 348,874 women dying from the disease. Dr. Bhatla highlighted that low-middle income countries (LMICs) such as India bear nearly 80% of the disease burden, with approximately 127,526 new cases and 79,906 deaths annually in India alone. She underscored the significance of the WHO's 'Call for Elimination of Cervical Cancer' initiative, which envisions a world free from cervical cancer, with India as a signatory. By 2030, the goal is to screen 70% of women and vaccinate 90% of girls. Dr. Bhatla emphasized that cervical cancer is preventable and treatable if detected early, stressing the importance of HPV testing, recommended by WHO at ages 35 and 45 as part of the elimination strategy. However, current HPV tests are costly and require extensive laboratory infrastructure and validation to international standards for WHO prequalification and quality assurance. To address this, a multi-center study, supported by DBT-BIRAC Grand Challenges India and WHO's IARC, aims to develop low-cost, point-of-care indigenous HPV tests suitable for the Indian population, automated, and user-friendly. Dr. Bhatla highlighted the study's innovative aspect: evaluating tests with fewer HPV types to enhance accuracy and cost-effectiveness. Dr. M Srinivas, Director of AIIMS, Delhi, emphasized the project's significance in validating 'Make in India' HPV tests to international standards, benefiting millions of women in India and LMICs by combating cervical cancer effectively.