Dalrada Corporation (OTCQB:DFCO) has reported on the positive results of a second screening study of its patent-pending cerVIA kit used to test for cervical cancer on 100 women in India.
The women, aged 31 to 65, were screened with Pap smear and visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) using the firm's kit and the study revealed VIA's accuracy at 91%.
Data from the first cervical cancer clinical study in India revealed that cerVIA had been 96.8% specific.
"Innovative tests and healthcare delivery can help restart screening services to reach the goal set by the WHO, to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030," said Dr Payal Keswarpu, Dalrada Health's chief medical officer, who led the study.
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"The VIA kit was helpful; we always had the necessary items to conduct the test faster, reducing patient exposure time in the hospital. Also, adopting VIA as a screening procedure helped us reduce hospital visits for the women by providing instant results and decisions on next steps."
Notably, amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, cancer screening services have been paused.
Research by hospitals participating in the National Cancer Grid shows an over 60% reduction in outpatients in India and across all cancers such as breast, cervix, colon, lung, and prostate, cancer screening rates declined by 60 to 80% compared to pre-pandemic screening rates.
As the pandemic continues, innovative approaches to restoring practitioner-patient engagements include telehealth consultations, accessible diagnostic tests, and care closer to home, noted Dalrada.
Dr Keswarpu highlighted that the VIA Kit enabled a quick examination compared to the standard preparation time of getting all necessary instruments, disposables, and reagents prepared.
"This approach will help in less time spent in a healthcare facility. In addition, there is no risk of cross-infection between patients, as all items are single-use for one patient," he said.
Developed by Dalrada Health, the patent-pending cerVIA Kit consists of standardized components needed to perform a VIA test on the cervix with all active ingredients sourced from FDA or ISO-approved facilities.
Every year, 569,847 new cases of cervical cancer are detected globally, with around 311,365 deaths and around 85% of these are in low and middle-income countries. In India, there are about 75,000 new cases detected annually.
Contact the writer at giles@proactiveinvestors.com