Changing patterns of cancer incidence in the early- and late-HAART periods: the Swiss HIV Cohort Study

Prevalence and determinants of human papillomavirus infection and cervical lesions in HIV-positive women in Kenya

Background:

We assessed the association of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) with various characteristics, CD4 count and use of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) among HIV-positive women.

Methods:

Cross-sectional study of 498 HIV-positive women who underwent HPV PCR-based testing, cytology, and systematic cervical biopsy.

Results:

In all, 68.7% of women were HPV-positive, 52.6% had high-risk (hr) HPV, and 40.2% multiple type infections. High-risk human papillomavirus-positivity did not vary significantly by age but it was negatively associated with education level. The most frequent types in 113 CIN2/3 were HPV16 (26.5%), HPV35 (19.5%), and HPV58 (12.4%). CD4 count was negatively associated with prevalence of hrHPV (P<0.001) and CIN2/3 among non-users of cART (P=0.013). Combination antiretroviral therapies users (⩾2 year) had lower hrHPV prevalence (prevalence ratio (PR) vs non-users=0.77, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.61–0.96) and multiple infections (PR=0.68, 95% CI: 0.53–0.88), but not fewer CIN2/3. The positive predictive value of hrHPV-positivity for CIN2/3 increased from 28.9% at age <35 years to 53.3% in ⩾45 years.

Conclusion:

The burden of hrHPV and CIN2/3 was high and it was related to immunosuppression level. Combination antiretroviral therapies ( ⩾2 year) use had a favourable effect on hrHPV prevalence but cART in our population may have been started too late to prevent CIN2/3.

Lung cancer in HIV-infected patients: the experience in Brescia from 1999 to 2009

Lung cancer (LC) is the most common cancer among the non AIDS-defining malignancies in the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) era. We described 23 HIV infected patients with a LC diagnosis followed in the Clinic of Tropical and Infectious Diseases of Brescia during the period of 1999–2009. All of these patients except two ( n = 21, 91.3%) were cigarette smokers and all had at least one risk factor for developing cancer of the lung, or predisposing comorbidities, such as a COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) or a previous pneumonia. The median age at LC diagnosis was 53.6 years (range 21.2–71.4 years). Adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma were diagnosed in 10 cases (43.5%) respectively. In 21 subjects (91.3%) cancer was detected at stage IV with metastases. The median survival was 5.95 months. Greater intervention focused on the cessation of smoking is necessary, as well as the implementation of closer screening policies, especially in HIV-positive subjects with LC risk factors.

Impact of antiretroviral therapy on the incidence of Kaposi's sarcoma in resource-rich and resource-limited settings

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Given the recent availability of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in resource-limited settings and the significant burden exacted by Kaposi's sarcoma in these areas, we reviewed data regarding the impact of ART on Kaposi's sarcoma incidence. We summarized the sizeable literature in resource-rich settings as well as emerging data from resource-limited regions. Importantly, we delineated ways impact can be defined, including individual patient-level effectiveness; population-level effectiveness; change in population-level incidence; and residual risk of Kaposi's sarcoma.

RECENT FINDINGS

In resource-rich settings, there are now ample data demonstrating beneficial individual patient-level and population-level effects of ART on Kaposi's sarcoma incidence. There is, however, considerable variability between studies and important methodologic shortcomings. Data from resource-limited settings are much more limited; although they preliminarily indicate individual patient-level effectiveness, they do not yet provide insight on population-level effects.

SUMMARY

ART has had a substantial impact on Kaposi's sarcoma incidence in resource-rich settings, but more attention is needed on validly quantifying this effect in order to determine whether additional interventions are needed. Emerging data from resource-limited regions also suggest beneficial impact of ART on Kaposi's sarcoma incidence, but - given the scope of Kaposi's sarcoma in these settings - more data are needed to understand the breadth and magnitude of the effect.

Impact of highly effective antiretroviral therapy on the risk for Hodgkin lymphoma among people with human immunodeficiency virus infection

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To estimate the impact of highly effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) on the incidence and prognosis of Hodgkin lymphoma among people with human immunodeficiency virus infection or AIDS (PWHA).

RECENT FINDINGS

Age-adjusted incidence of Hodgkin lymphoma in PWHA is unchanged and is still five-fold to fifteen-fold higher than in the general population. Aging of the PWHA population with ART may account for increasing numbers of Hodgkin lymphoma cases. CD4 cell count has a complex relationship to Hodgkin lymphoma risk in PWHA. Depending on the time of measurement, Hodgkin lymphoma risk is highest with 50-249 CD4 cells/μl, and falling CD4 count on ART may be a harbinger of Hodgkin lymphoma onset. HIV load appears irrelevant to Hodgkin lymphoma. For obscure reasons, Hodgkin lymphoma risk may be elevated soon after starting ART, but the risk is probably modestly reduced with 6 or more months on ART. For PWHA who develop Hodgkin lymphoma, ART and ABVD chemotherapy can be administered safely, with one recent study demonstrating equivalent outcomes for HIV-positive and HIV-negative Hodgkin lymphoma patients.

SUMMARY

Vigilance for Hodgkin lymphoma is needed for immune-deficient PWHA, including those on ART. ART with opportunistic infection prophylaxis enables the delivery of effective chemotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma, leading to a good prognosis.

Cancer, immunodeficiency and antiretroviral treatment: results from the Australian HIV Observational Database (AHOD)

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the study was to conduct a within-cohort assessment of risk factors for incident AIDS-defining cancers (ADCs) and non-ADCs (NADCs) within the Australian HIV Observational Database (AHOD).

METHODS

A total of 2181 AHOD registrants were linked to the National AIDS Registry/National HIV Database (NAR/NHD) and the Australian Cancer Registry to identify those with a notified cancer diagnosis. Included in the current analyses were cancers diagnosed after HIV infection. Risk factors for cancers were also assessed using logistic regression methods.

RESULTS

One hundred and thirty-nine cancer cases were diagnosed after HIV infection among 129 patients. More than half the diagnoses (n = 68; 60%) were ADCs, of which 69% were Kaposi's sarcoma and 31% non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Among the NADCs, the most common cancers were melanoma (n = 10), lung cancer (n = 6), Hodgkin's lymphoma (n = 5) and anal cancer (n = 5). Over a total of 21021 person-years (PY) of follow-up since HIV diagnosis, the overall crude cancer incidence rate for any cancer was 5.09/1000 PY. The overall rate of cancers decreased from 15.9/1000 PY [95% confidence interval (CI) 9.25-25.40/1000 PY] for CD4 counts < 100 cells/μL to 2.4/1000 PY (95% CI 1.62-3.39/1000 PY) for CD4 counts > 350 cells/μL. Lower CD4 cell count and prior AIDS diagnoses were significant predictors for both ADCs and NADCs.

CONCLUSIONS

ADCs remain the predominant cancers in this population, although NADC rates have increased in the more recent time period. Immune deficiency is a risk factor for both ADCs and NADCs.

Anal human papillomavirus infection and associated neoplastic lesions in men who have sex with men: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at greatly increased risk of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated anal cancer. Screening for the presumed cancer precursor, high-grade anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN), followed by treatment in a manner analogous to cervical screening, has been proposed. We aimed to assess available data for anal HPV disease that can inform pre-cancer screening programmes.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, OVID Medline, and Embase for all studies published before Nov 1, 2011, that reported prevalence and incidence of anal HPV detection, AIN, and anal cancer in MSM. We calculated summary estimates using random-effects meta-analysis.

FINDINGS

53 studies met the inclusion criteria, including 31 estimates of HPV prevalence, 19 estimates of cytological abnormalities, eight estimates of histological abnormalities, and nine estimates of anal cancer incidence. Data for incident HPV and high-grade AIN were scarce. In HIV-positive men, the pooled prevalence of anal HPV-16 was 35·4% (95% CI 32·9-37·9). In the only published estimate, incidence of anal HPV-16 was 13·0% (9·6-17·6), and clearance occurred in 14·6% (10·2-21·2) of men per year. The pooled prevalence of histological high-grade AIN was 29·1% (22·8-35·4) with incidences of 8·5% (6·9-10·4) and 15·4% (11·8-19·8) per year in two estimates. The pooled anal cancer incidence was 45·9 per 100,000 men (31·2-60·3). In HIV-negative men, the pooled prevalence of anal HPV-16 was 12·5% (9·8-15·4). Incidence of HPV-16 was 11·8% (9·2-14·9) and 5·8% (1·9-13·5) of men per year in two estimates. The pooled prevalence of histological high-grade AIN was 21·5% (13·7-29·3), with incidence of 3·3% (2·2-4·7) and 6·0% (4·2-8·1) per year in two estimates. Anal cancer incidence was 5·1 per 100,000 men (0-11·5; based on two estimates). There were no published estimates of high-grade AIN regression.

INTERPRETATION

Anal HPV and anal cancer precursors were very common in MSM. However, on the basis of restricted data, rates of progression to cancer seem to be substantially lower than they are for cervical pre-cancerous lesions. Large, good-quality prospective studies are needed to inform the development of anal cancer screening guidelines for MSM.

FUNDING

Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.

HIV-associated lymphoma

The incidence of aggressive lymphoma in the setting of HIV infection is significantly increased relative to the general population. Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) for HIV has reduced the incidence of these neoplasms and has significantly improved clinical outcome for those who do develop lymphoma and require chemotherapy. With the possible exception of those individuals with the most severe immunocompromise, patients with HIV-associated lymphoma can be treated with the same standard immuno-chemotherapy regimens used in the immunocompetent population with similar expectations for good clinical outcome. Infusional regimens like dose adjusted EPOCH-R appear to be highly effective first-line therapy and for relapsed patients high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell support is well-tolerated and effective. However, it should be recognized that there are unique risks associated with management of lymphoma in this patient population. While opportunistic infections are no longer a significant cause of death, antiretroviral agents used for management of HIV infection may interact with chemotherapeutic agents and other adjunctive therapies making communication between the treating Oncologist and the patient's primary HIV treatment provider of prime importance.

Treatment of AIDS-related lymphomas: rituximab is beneficial even in severely immunosuppressed patients

OBJECTIVE

AIDS-related lymphomas (ARLs) significantly contribute to mortality in HIV-infected patients. Optimal chemotherapy treatment and the use of rituximab remain controversial. The aim of the present cohort study was to analyze the outcome of HIV-infected patients diagnosed with ARL, with regard to the use of rituximab, clinical characteristics and histopathological markers.

METHODS AND DESIGN

This observational uncontrolled multicenter cohort study included 163 HIV-infected patients with ARL diagnosed between January 2005 and December 2008 in Germany.

RESULTS

Patients with CD20-positive ARL had a significantly better overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) than patients with CD20-negative ARL [hazard ratio 0.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.15-0.53 and hazard ratio 0.29, 95% CI 0.16-0.53]. In CD20-positive cases, the use of rituximab was associated with better OS and PFS (n = 128, hazard ratio 0.48, 95% CI 0.25-0.93 and hazard ratio 0.47, 95% CI 0.26-0.86), even in patients with severe immune deficiency at ARL diagnosis (CD4 T-cell count<100 cells/μl, n = 33; OS: hazard ratio 0.25, 95% CI 0.07-0.90). In multivariate analysis, CD4 T-cell counts more than 100 cells/μl and the use of rituximab were associated with better OS and PFS. In total, there were 12 polychemotherapy-associated deaths, which were not related to specific therapy regimens or to the use of rituximab.

CONCLUSION

In patients with CD20-positive ARL, CD4 T-cell count at ARL diagnosis and the use of rituximab had strong impact on survival. Rituximab was beneficial in ARL even in the setting of severe immune deficiency and was not associated with an increased risk of fatal infections.

HIV, cancer, and aging

As people with HIV age, they will experience increasing rates of all diseases of aging, including cancer. However, the pattern of higher cancer risk in people with HIV is mostly explained by the chronic effects of certain oncogenic infections, and is not consistent with a syndrome of accelerated aging. Many of those cancers that are most closely associated with aging do not occur at increased rates in people with HIV compared with the general population. The risk of many infection-associated cancers in people with HIV is closely related to the degree of immune deficiency, and for some types of cancer, it is also associated with ongoing HIV replication. Thus, if HIV therapy can provide durable HIV suppression and maintain near normal levels of immune function, the excess risk of cancer is likely to be minimised. While avoidance of profound immunity will greatly reduce cancer risk, it is unclear how close to normal immune function must be to minimise HIV-associated cancer risk. People with HIV are also at a high risk of cancer because they have high rates of lifestyle risks for cancer, in particular tobacco and alcohol exposure. For most cancers, it is appropriate to follow general population guidelines on cancer screening. The exception is cervical cancer, for which annual screening is recommended. In addition, active research is required to establish whether anal cancer screening would prevent the unacceptably high levels of morbidity caused by this disease in people with HIV, most particularly in gay men.

Lung cancer in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study: role of smoking, immunodeficiency and pulmonary infection

BACKGROUND

Immunodeficiency and AIDS-related pulmonary infections have been suggested as independent causes of lung cancer among HIV-infected persons, in addition to smoking.

METHODS

A total of 68 lung cancers were identified in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS) or through linkage with Swiss Cancer Registries (1985-2010), and were individually matched to 337 controls by centre, gender, HIV-transmission category, age and calendar period. Odds ratios (ORs) were estimated by conditional logistic regression.

RESULTS

Overall, 96.2% of lung cancers and 72.9% of controls were ever smokers, confirming the high prevalence of smoking and its strong association with lung cancer (OR for current vs never=14.4, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 3.36-62.1). No significant associations were observed between CD4+ cell count and lung cancer, neither when measured within 1 year (OR for <200 vs ≥500=1.21, 95% CI: 0.49-2.96) nor further back in time, before lung cancer diagnosis. Combined antiretroviral therapy was not significantly associated with lung cancer (OR for ever vs never=0.67, 95% CI: 0.29-1.52), and nor was a history of AIDS with (OR=0.49, 95% CI: 0.19-1.28) or without (OR=0.53, 95% CI: 0.24-1.18) pulmonary involvement.

CONCLUSION

Lung cancer in the SHCS does not seem to be clearly associated with immunodeficiency or AIDS-related pulmonary disease, but seems to be attributable to heavy smoking.

[Japanese HIV-infected men who have sex with men screened for anal intraepithelial neoplasia]

The prevalence of and the risk factors for abnormal anal cytology among Japanese men who have sex with men (MSM) who have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection have not been fully investigated up to now. We conducted a nested case-control study of 81 HIV-infected Japanese MSM treated with antiretroviral therapy at a sexuality minority affirmative clinic between April 2010 and March 2011. Results showed that 41 (50.6%) of the 81 had normal anal cytology, 13 (16.0%) atypical squamous cells, 24 (29.6%) low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, and 3 (3.7%) high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions. No carcinoma cases were seen. Multivariate analysis showed abnormal anal cytology to be associated with a history of genital condyloma (OR 4.19, p = .021). We concluded that abnormal anal cytology was common among HIV-infected Japanese MSM. Effective screening and management should be planned for precancerous anal lesions.

HIV-Associated Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Prognosis and Therapy in the Era of cART

Patients with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) are at increased risk for developing Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL), a risk that has not decreased despite the success of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in the modern era. HIV-associated HL (HIV-HL) differs from HL in non-HIV-infected patients in that it is nearly always associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and more often presents with high-risk features of advanced disease, systemic "B" symptoms, and extranodal involvement. Before the introduction of cART, patients with HIV-HL had lower response rates and worse outcomes than non-HIV-infected HL patients treated with conventional chemotherapy. The introduction of cART, however, has allowed for the delivery of full-dose and dose-intensive chemotherapy regimens with improved outcomes that approach those seen in non-HIV infected patients. Despite these significant advances, HIV-HL patients remain at increased risk for treatment-related toxicities and drug-drug interactions which require careful attention and supportive care to insure the safe administration of therapy. This paper will address the modern diagnosis, risk stratification, and therapy of HIV-associated HL.

Geographical clustering of anal cancer incidence in Australia

Introduction: Homosexual men are at an increased risk of anal cancer. We aimed to establish the burden of anal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in those parts of Australia where homosexual men are most likely to live. Methods: Data on the proportion of homosexual male residents were obtained from published estimates. Men were categorised into three postcode groups by prevalence of men reporting homosexual identity. Male population data in age groups were extracted for each postcode group and analyses of cancer incidence were performed by postcode group. The analyses were restricted to 2000–2005. Results: Eight postcodes had populations where more than 10% of males reported homosexual identity (high prevalence) and 4–10% of men reported homosexual activity in a further 19 postcodes (medium prevalence). From 2000 to 2005, the average annual age-standardised incidence rates of anal SCC in males was 7.61 per 100 000 (95% confidence interval (CI): 4.68–10.55) and 2.21 per 100 000 (95% CI: 1.05–3.37) in high and medium prevalence postcodes, respectively. The corresponding incidence rate ratios compared with low prevalence postcodes (less than 4% of males reported homosexual identity) were 9.6 (95% CI: 6.6–14.1) for the high prevalence and 2.4 (95% CI: 1.4–4.1) for the medium prevalence postcodes. Conclusion: A substantial concentration of the burden of anal cancer occurred among areas where large proportions of homosexual men reside. These results should guide the prioritisation of health service investment in anal cancer treatment and prevention to appropriate geographical areas.

Mortality of HIV-infected patients with or without cancer: comparison with the general population in Italy

BACKGROUND

HAART has reduced mortality in HIV-infected patients; however, the risk of non-AIDS-related events has increased, including cancer. We compared mortality in HIV-infected patients with or without cancer with the general population in Italy.

METHODS

Eligible patients were recorded in the San Raffaele Infectious Diseases Department database. The ratio of observed deaths to expected all-cause deaths (standardized mortality ratio [SMR]) was standardized for age and gender, and stratified by cancer occurrence or year of HIV infection (≤1998 or >1998). Expected all-cause deaths were obtained from the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (Rome, Italy; 2002 data).

RESULTS

Among 6,495 HIV-infected patients, contributing 75,171 person-years, the SMR was 6.0 (95% CI 5.7, 6.4); SMRs decreased as age increased. Mortality rates were significantly higher than the general population for patients with or without cancer (SMR=15.1 [95% CI 13.6, 16.7] and 4.8 [95% CI 4.5, 5.1], respectively). For patients with or without cancer, SMRs were higher in those aged <45 years than older patients. SMRs for patients with cancer were almost stable in those infected with HIV ≤1998 (15.3; 95% CI 13.7, 17.0) or >1998 (13.5; 95% CI 9.2, 19.1). Among patients with cancer diagnosed with HIV >1998, age-adjusted SMRs ranged from 216.0 (95% CI 43.4, 631.3) to 6.8 (95% CI 4.7, 9.7) in patients <30 years or ≥70 years, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Mortality in HIV-infected patients remains higher than the general population in Italy, with marked differences according to age, and cancer contributing to an increased excess of mortality.

Human papillomavirus, cancer and vaccination

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

HIV-positive men and women are at greater risk of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancers compared with the general population. This study describes recent findings in HPV-related cancers and precancerous lesions and discuss the potential benefit of recently developed prophylactic HPV vaccines.

RECENT FINDINGS

Despite improving access to antiretroviral therapy (ART), particularly in developing countries, the incidence of cervical cancer has not declined and the incidence of anal cancer is still rising in HIV-infected individuals. HIV appears to affect the history of HPV infection, and the distribution of genotypes detected in precancerous lesions in HIV-infected women is not similar to that of the general population. The use of the quadrivalent HPV vaccine has been shown to prevent cervical precursor lesions caused by the vaccine types in women in the general population. Safety and immunogenicity studies of the quadrivalent HPV vaccine in HIV-infected individuals are underway. Efficacy has to be proven in the context of both a different epidemiology of HPV infection and of immunosuppression.

SUMMARY

Recent data imply that the issue of HPV-related cancers will not decline in HIV-infected individuals. Therefore, efficacy studies of HPV vaccines are sorely needed in the setting of HIV.

Epidemiologic trends of cancer diagnoses among HIV-infected children in Spain from 1997 to 2008

BACKGROUND

The introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has influenced the incidence of cancer in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the pattern of cancer rates in HIV-infected children on HAART during over a decade of follow-up.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We carried out a case-control study. Data were obtained from the records of the minimum basic data set of hospitals in Spain from 1999 to 2008. The epidemiologic trends of cancer diagnoses were evaluated through 3 calendar periods: early-period HAART: 1997-1999, midperiod HAART: 2000-2002, and late-period HAART: 2003-2008).

RESULTS

HIV-infected children had higher rates of cancer diagnosis than HIV-negative children (P < 0.001) for both acquired immunodeficiency disease syndrome (AIDS)-defining malignancies (ADM) and non-AIDS-defining malignancies (non-ADM). The highest rates of cancer diagnosis in HIV-positive children were for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage, and Hodgkin lymphoma. When we compared the 3 calendar periods, we found that the rate of ADM diagnoses decreased (from 9.1 to 3.6 to 1.0 cancers per 1000 HIV-children/yr; P < 0.05) and that the rate of non-ADM diagnoses increased (from 0.6 to 5.0 to 8.7 cancers per 1000 HIV-children/yr; P < 0.05). Moreover, the overall rate of cancer diagnoses (ADM plus non-ADM) did not change during the study period (9.7, 8.7, and 9.7 cancers per 1000 HIV-children/yr).

CONCLUSIONS

HIV-infected children had a dramatic decrease in the rate of ADM diagnoses and an increase in the rate of non-ADM diagnoses. The overall cancer diagnosis rate has not decreased during the past decade and the incidence of cancer still remains high in HIV-infected children in Spain.

Epidemiology of HIV in the United States

BACKGROUND

The United States has a comprehensive system of HIV surveillance, including case reporting and disease staging, estimates of incidence, behavioral, and clinical indicators and monitoring of HIV-related mortality. These data are used to monitor the epidemic and to better design, implement, and evaluate public health programs.

METHODS

We describe HIV-related surveillance systems and review recent data.

RESULTS

There are more than 1.1 million people living with HIV in the United States, and approximately 56,000 new HIV infections annually. Risk behavior data show that 47% of men who have sex with men engaged in unprotected anal intercourse in the past year, and 33% of injection drug users had shared syringes. One third (32%) of people diagnosed with HIV in 2008 were diagnosed with AIDS within 12 months, indicating missed opportunities for care and prevention. An estimated 72% of HIV-diagnosed persons received HIV medical care within 4 months of initial diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Conducting accurate and comprehensive HIV surveillance is critical for measuring progress toward the goals of the 2010 National HIV/AIDS Strategy: reduced HIV incidence, increased access to care, and improvements in health equity.

Host factors for risk and survival in lymphoma

All cancers arise from complex interactions between aspects of the patient (host) biology and the environment. Once tumors arise, they frequently remain dependent on interactions with their microenvironment for their growth and proliferation. In this review, we examine the contributions of the host genetics and environmental exposures to the development of lymphoma. We will further examine the interactions of the tumor and the microenvironment that influence tumor growth and proliferation.