Affordable Detection Kit for Cervical Cancer: Innovations in Colorimetric Detection and Self-Sampling for Cervical Cancer Screening

This chapter presents the key developments under the project “Affordable Detection Kit for Cervical Cancer,” which received the BIRAC SITARE Gandhian Young Technological Innovation (GYTI) Award in 2018. Cervical cancer remains a major global health concern, with India accounting for nearly one-third of the world’s cases. To address the pressing need for an affordable and accessible diagnostic solution, we proposed the use of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to enable self-detection of cervical cancer through a simple, color-based assay. A proof-of-concept was first established using gold nanoparticle formation for colorimetric detection of varying concentrations of acetic acid. This concept was subsequently applied to clinical samples, leading to the development of “C-ColAur,” a novel colorimetric technique for differentiating healthy and cancerous cervicovaginal samples through visually perceptible color changes. The technique was validated using 82 clinical samples, achieving a sensitivity of 89.79% and specificity of 81.81%. Notably, C-ColAur requires no preprocessing or post-processing of samples, and a visible color change within 2 min clearly distinguishes healthy from cancer-affected samples. The mechanistic basis for the observed color variation was further elucidated through analysis of the protein and lipid composition and nanoparticle morphology of the samples. To complement this diagnostic method, we also developed a self-sampling device, “CerviSelf,” enabling women to independently collect cervicovaginal samples. The device prototypes were fabricated using 3D printing and optimized for comfort, affordability, and ease of use. When combined, C-ColAur and CerviSelf represent a powerful, low-cost self-detection kit with the potential to revolutionize cervical cancer screening by allowing women to conduct tests privately and conveniently at home. This integrated approach could significantly enhance screening frequency, promote early diagnosis, and ultimately improve survival rates, particularly in resource-limited settings.