Background:~High-Grade Intraepithelial Lesion/Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia grade 2-3 (HSIL/CIN2-3) is a premalignant cervical lesion caused by persistent high-risk Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection [1]. It is estimated that approximately 54,000 women in Spain are annually diagnosed with HSIL/CIN2-3, which represents a significant economic burden for the national health system [2]. Electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) is the standard treatment of HSIL/CIN2-3 [3,4]. In Spain, current national guidelines recommend control after LEEP at 6, and 24 months [5,6,7]. The HPV test is a sensitive marker of cervical cancer risk and it has been incorporated, with cytology, in the follow-up of squamous cervical intraepithelial lesion after a LEEP [8,9,10].~We recently showed that an HPV test performed intraoperatively (IOP-HPV) has a strong association with recurrent disease as well as a good diagnostic recurrence efficiency at 12 months, similar than the test performed at 6 months. Thus, IOP-HPV test could be feasible and useful to identify treatment failure earlier than conventional strategies [11]. These results are similar to those previously observed by other authors [12].~However, one of the limitations of previous studies was the sample size of patients to achieve greater statistical power and perform a non-inferiority study.~The aim of this study is to evaluate if the IOP-HPV test has non-inferior diagnostic utility of HSIL/CIN2-3 recurrence at 24 months as the HPV test performed 6 months after LEEP.~Material and methods~This is a multicenter prospective cohort study that will include patients diagnosed with HSIL/CIN2-3. This study will be carried out at the Hospital Vall d'Hebron in Barcelona (organizing center) and other National centers from June 2020 to June 2024. All patients will undergo a HPV test 3 months prior to treatment and will be followed for a period of 24 months.~Cytology samples will be interpreted by an experienced pathologist following the Bethesda System [13]. HPV test will be performed using the commercially available Hybrid Capture 2 (HC2) system. If this is positive, it will be followed by the CLART-HPV2 test, a PCR technique that will allow the detection of 35 HPV genotypes.~Colposcopy will be performed using a colposcope Olympus 500 after preparing the cervix with 5% acetic acid and lugol solution. Colposcopy findings will be described following the criteria of the International Federation for Cervical Pathology and Colposcopy (IFCPC) [14].~Prior to LEEP, the abnormal area will be delimited by acetic acid and iodinated lugol, a colposcopy will be performed prior to the application of 1 ml of 2% mepivacaine to each quadrant of the cervix.~The entire pathological area will be removed next to the transformation zone (TZ), followed by selective coagulation of the surgical bed by diathermic coagulation ball. Immediately after the LEEP, a cervical sample will be taken for the IOP-HPV test. At the end of the procedure an ECC will be performed using a Novak curette.~The cervical specimen will be processed in a standardized way: after staining with ink the surfaces (or the margins) of the piece, a paraffin block will be obtained from which a minimum of 12 sections, of the 4 quadrants will be examined. A margin will be considered affected if the lesion reaches the margin or is within 1mm.~After surgery, the follow-up will be performed according to the National Guidelines Recommendations5,6,7. Visits will be scheduled according to the margin status of the LEEP specimen: If the margins are negative, the patient will be reviewed at 6, 12 and 24 months with cytology, HPV test and colposcopy. If they are positive, a visit will be added 4 months after the procedure where an additional cervical cytology will be taken.~Patients with abnormal cytology (LSIL+) or abnormal colposcopy will undergo a CGB. When the TZ is not completely visible or no colposcopic abnormalities are identified, an ECC with Novak curette will also be performed.~High-grade recurrence will be considered either when the CGB confirmes HSIL/CIN2-3 or when the ECC shows HSIL.The criteria to perform a second treatment will be the histological confirmation of HSIL/CIN2-3 during the follow-up.
High-grade intraepithelial lesion/cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2-3 is a premalignant cervical lesion caused by persistent high-risk human papillomavirus infection. Human papillomavirus test is a very sensitive risk marker of cervical cancer and it has been incorporated in the follow-up after high-grade intraepithelial lesion treatment. Papillomavirus test performed intraoperatively could be a beneficial approach to anticipate treatment failure, allow for early management and consequently a reduction in costs. The aim of this study is to evaluate if the IOP-HPV test has non-inferior diagnostic utility of HSIL/CIN2-3 recurrence at 24 months as the HPV test performed 6 months after treatment.