Ferrera A, et al. - Since HPV encoded oncoproteins E6 and E7 represent promising triage alternatives, researchers assessed the performance of an HPV 16/18 E6 oncoprotein test in 155 women from a screening study and 59 from the same referral population attending colposcopy and with precancerous lesions. In all the participants, HPV-testing with HC2 and genotyping with LiPA was performed. HPV16/18 E6 oncoproteins were investigated in cervical swabs of these patients. The detectable presence of E6 oncoprotein in all but one HSIL and in all cancers where HPV16/18 DNA was detected, was noted. They found that E6 oncoprotein was not detectably present in cases associated with other HPV types or HPV negatives. The test displayed 97.5% specificity and 96.8% sensitivity for HPV16/18-related HSIL+ and 56.4% for all HSIL+ regardless of HPV type. Overall, in this Honduran population with limited previous screening, high sensitivity, as well as specificity of E6 oncoprotein for detection of HPV16/18-related HSIL lesions, was evident. E6 oncoprotein could have utility as a triage method in screening programs, especially in low-income countries.