Cancer burden in the HIV-infected population in the United States

Cancer Risk in Older Persons Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection in the United States

Background

Cancer risk is increased in persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PLWH). Improved survival has led to an aging of PLWH. We evaluated the cancer risk in older PLWH (age ≥50 years).

Methods

We included data from the HIV/AIDS Cancer Match Study (1996-2012) and evaluated risks of Kaposi sarcoma (KS), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), Hodgkin lymphoma, and cervical, anal, lung, liver, oral cavity/pharyngeal, breast, prostate, and colon cancers in older PLWH with risk in the general population by calculating standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and excess absolute risks (EARs). Cancer risk by time since HIV diagnosis was estimated using Poisson regression.

Results

We identified 10371 cancers among 183542 older PLWH. Risk was significantly increased for KS (SIR, 103.34), NHL (3.05), Hodgkin lymphoma (7.61), and cervical (2.02), anal (14.00), lung (1.71), liver (2.91), and oral cavity/pharyngeal (1.66) cancers, and reduced for breast (0.61), prostate (0.47), and colon (0.63) cancers. SIRs declined with age for all cancers; however, EARs increased with age for anal, lung, liver, and oral cavity/pharyngeal cancers. Cancer risk was highest for most cancers within 5 years after HIV diagnosis; risk decreased with increasing time since HIV diagnosis for KS, NHL, lung cancer, and Hodgkin lymphoma.

Conclusions

Cancer risk is elevated among older PLWH. Although SIRs decrease with age, EARs are higher for some cancers, reflecting a greater absolute excess in cancer incidence among older PLWH. High risk in the first 5 years after HIV diagnosis for some cancers highlights the need for early HIV diagnosis and rapid treatment initiation.

Comorbidities and the use of comedications in people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy in Japan: a cross-sectional study using a hospital claims database

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the prevalence of chronic comorbidities and the use of comedications in people living with HIV (PLWH) and on antiretrovirals in Japan, by using a hospital claims database.

DESIGN

Observational, retrospective, cross-sectional study.

SETTING

A hospital claims database of Japanese hospitals that have advanced medical treatment capabilities (ie, advanced treatment hospitals, general hospitals, acute care hospitals), which include those providing acute and chronic care (excluding nursing homes or hospices).

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 1445 PLWH aged ≥18 years and with a prescription record of antiretrovirals between January 2010 and December 2015 were identified from the database.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The number and types of chronic comorbidities, as well as the number and types of comedications, in different age groups of the PLWH.

RESULTS

The median (range) age of patients was 45 (18-90) years, and 90.4% were men. Of the 1445 patients, 972 (67.3%) had at least one chronic comorbidity. Common chronic comorbidities included lipid disorders (31.6%), diabetes (26.8%), hypertension (18.2%) and hepatitis B/C coinfection (18.2%). Patients in the older age groups had greater numbers of chronic comorbidities. The most common chronic comorbidities in the older age groups were hypertension, diabetes and lipid disorders. The majority of patients used at least one comedication, and those in the older age groups used greater numbers of comedications. The most common therapeutic category of comedication included antacids, antiflatulents and antiulcerants (31.7%). Of 151 malignancies reported in 117 patients, 84 were AIDS-defining cancers and 67 were non-AIDS-defining cancers.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic comorbidities and comedications were common among PLWH in Japan taking antiretrovirals; particularly among older patients, who more frequently used comedications. This suggests the need for giving special attention to the appropriate management of this patient population.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in people living with HIV in France

OBJECTIVES

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), mainly due to smoking, is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths. However, an increasing number of tumors - especially oropharyngeal cancer - are reported in non-smokers in association with the human papillomavirus (HPV). As HIV-infected individuals are particularly at risk of HPV-related disease, we aimed to describe the burden of HNSCC in this population.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review of patients from HIV clinics diagnosed with HNSCC between 2004 and 2014. Case patients were defined using the International Classification of Disease for Oncology (3^rd edition). Age at HIV diagnosis and time from HIV diagnosis to HNSCC diagnosis were collected. Oropharyngeal cancers were considered as potentially HPV-related cancers, and their prevalence was compared with other HNSCCs over time.

RESULTS

The 286 patients enrolled in the study had a median age at HNSCC diagnosis of 52 years; 84% were males and 68% had a history of smoking. The oropharynx was the most frequent site (41%), followed by cancer of the oral cavity (31%), larynx (22%), and hypopharynx (7%). The prevalence (and proportion) of potentially HPV-related cancers increased significantly over time with a mean of 0.78 additional case patient per year.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of HNSCC is modest compared with other cancers in HIV-infected individuals. The prevalence of oropharynx carcinoma, a potentially HPV-related carcinoma, seems to increase over time. Even if tobacco may be an important contributor, the role of HPV in HIV-infected individuals presenting with HNSCC should be investigated.

Cancer risk in HIV patients with incomplete viral suppression after initiation of antiretroviral therapy

Background

Cancer causes significant morbidity and mortality among HIV patients in the US due to extended life expectancy with access to effective antiretroviral therapy. Low, detectable HIV RNA has been studied as a risk factor for adverse health outcomes, but its clinical impact on cancer risk remains unclear. The objective of this study was to determine whether HIV RNA <1,000 copies/mL six months after starting therapy was associated with 10-year first cancer risk.

Methods

We followed 7,515 HIV therapy initiators from a US-based multicenter clinical cohort from 1998 to 2014. We used nonparametric multiple imputation to account for viral loads that fell below assay detection limits, and categorized viral loads six months after therapy initiation into four groups: <20, 20–199, 200–999, and >999 copies/mL. We calculated estimates of the cumulative incidence of cancer diagnosis, accounting for death as a competing event. Inverse probability of exposure and censoring weights were used to control for confounding and differential loss to follow up, respectively.

Results

Crude 10-year first cancer risk in the study sample was 7.03% (95% CI: 6.08%, 7.98%), with the highest risk observed among patients with viral loads between 200 and 999 copies/mL six months after ART initiation (10.7%). After controlling for baseline confounders, 10-year first cancer risk was 6.90% (95% CI: 5.69%, 8.12%), and was similar across viral load categories.

Conclusion

Overall risk of first cancer was not associated with incomplete viral suppression; however, cancer remains a significant threat to HIV patients after treatment initiation. As more HIV patients gain access to treatment in the current “treat all” era, occurrences of incomplete viral suppression will be observed more frequently in clinical practice, which supports continued study of the role of low-level HIV RNA on cancer development.

Survival after cancer diagnosis in a cohort of HIV-positive individuals in Latin America

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate trends and predictors of survival after cancer diagnosis in persons living with HIV in the Caribbean, Central, and South America network for HIV epidemiology cohort.

METHODS

Demographic, cancer, and HIV-related data from HIV-positive adults diagnosed with cancer ≤ 1 year before or any time after HIV diagnosis from January 1, 2000-June 30, 2015 were retrospectively collected. Cancer cases were classified as AIDS-defining cancers (ADC) and non-AIDS-defining cancers (NADC). The association of mortality with cancer- and HIV-related factors was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards models stratified by clinic site and cancer type.

RESULTS

Among 15,869 patients, 783 had an eligible cancer diagnosis; 82% were male and median age at cancer diagnosis was 39 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 32-47). Patients were from Brazil (36.5%), Argentina (19.9%), Chile (19.7%), Mexico (19.3%), and Honduras (4.6%). A total of 564 ADC and 219 NADC were diagnosed. Patients with NADC had similar survival probabilities as those with ADC at one year (81% vs. 79%) but lower survival at five years (60% vs. 69%). In the adjusted analysis, risk of mortality increased with detectable viral load (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.63, p = 0.02), age (aHR = 1.02 per year, p = 0.002) and time between HIV and cancer diagnoses (aHR = 1.03 per year, p = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

ADC remain the most frequent cancers in the region. Overall mortality was related to detectable viral load and age. Longer-term survival was lower after diagnosis of NADC than for ADC, which may be due to factors unrelated to HIV.

Human herpesvirus-encoded kinase induces B cell lymphomas in vivo

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is a gammaherpesvirus that is the etiological agent of the endothelial cell cancer Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and 2 B cell lymphoproliferative disorders, primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) and multicentric Castleman's disease (MCD). KSHV ORF36, also known as viral protein kinase (vPK), is a viral serine/threonine kinase. We previously reported that KSHV vPK enhances cell proliferation and mimics cellular S6 kinase to phosphorylate ribosomal protein S6, a protein involved in protein synthesis. We created a mouse model to analyze the function of vPK in vivo. We believe this is the first mouse tumor model of a viral kinase encoded by a pathogenic human virus. We observed increased B cell activation in the vPK transgenic mice compared with normal mice. We also found that, over time, vPK transgenic mice developed a B cell hyperproliferative disorder and/or a high-grade B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma at a greatly increased incidence compared with littermate controls. This mouse model shows that a viral protein kinase is capable of promoting B cell activation and proliferation as well as augmenting lymphomagenesis in vivo and may therefore contribute to the development of viral cancers.

Patterns of repeated anal cytology results among HIV-positive and HIV-negative men who have sex with men

Background

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at increased risk for anal cancer. In cervical cancer screening, patterns of repeated cytology results are used to identify low- and high-risk women, but little is known about these patterns for anal cytology among MSM.

Methods

We analyzed Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS) data for MSM who were offered anal cytology testing annually (HIV-positive) or every 2 years (HIV-negative) for 4 years.

Results

Following an initial negative (normal) cytology, the frequency of a second negative cytology was lower among HIV-positive MSM with CD4 ≥ 500 (74%) or CD4 < 500 (68%) than HIV-negative MSM (83%) (p < 0.001). After an initial abnormal cytology, the frequency of a second abnormal cytology was highest among HIV-positive MSM with CD4 < 500 (70%) compared to CD4 ≥ 500 (53%) or HIV-negative MSM (46%) (p = 0.003). Among HIV-positive MSM with at least three results, 37% had 3 consecutive negative results; 3 consecutive abnormal results were more frequent among CD4 < 500 (22%) than CD4 ≥ 500 (10%) (p = 0.008).

Conclusions

More than one-third of HIV-positive MSM have consistently negative anal cytology over three years. Following abnormal anal cytology, a repeated cytology is commonly negative in HIV-negative or immunocompetent HIV-positive men, while persistent cytological abnormality is more likely among HIV-positive men with CD4 < 500.

HIV-Associated Cancers and Related Diseases

Clusters of cases of pneumocystis pneumonia and Kaposi’s sarcoma in New York and California in men who had sex with men were early harbingers of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic.1 The syndrome was also soon noted to be associated with a high incidence of aggressive B-cell lymphomas. As the AIDS definition crystallized, Kaposi’s sarcoma, aggressive B-cell lymphomas, and invasive cervical cancer were considered to be AIDS-defining cancers when they developed in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.2 Additional cancers are now known to be associated with HIV (Table 1 ). The term HIV-associated cancer is used here to describe this larger group of cancers (both AIDS-defining and non–AIDS-defining cancers) that have an increased incidence among patients with HIV infection. In addition, incidental cancers also may develop in patients with HIV infection.

Brentuximab vedotin with AVD shows safety, in the absence of strong CYP3A4 inhibitors, in newly diagnosed HIV-associated Hodgkin lymphoma

OBJECTIVE

Brentuximab vedotin is a Food and Drug Administration approved anti-CD30 antibody drug conjugate potently active in Hodgkin lymphoma. Trials of brentuximab vedotin with doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (AVD-BV) excluded patients with HIV. We studied the safety of AVD-BV in newly diagnosed HIV-associated classical Hodgkin lymphoma .

DESIGN AND METHODS

Patients diagnosed with stage II-IV HIV-associated classical Hodgkin lymphoma received AVD-BV on days 1 and 15 every 28 days for six cycles. Anti-HIV medications with strong CYP3A4 inhibition were excluded. This phase 1 trial followed a 3+3 dose de-escalation design started with brentuximab vedotin at 1.2 mg/kg with standard dosing of AVD. Dose-limiting toxicities were defined in cycle one.

RESULTS

Seven patients were enrolled with six being evaluable: five of six stage III/IV, three with an international prognostic score at least 4. With no dose-limiting toxicities identified, all six were treated at the 1.2 mg/kg dose. Only five grade (G) three nonhematological adverse events were noted in three patients: pulmonary infection, diarrhea, and peripheral neuropathy. No G4/5 adverse events occurred. PET/computer tomography was negative in five of six after cycle 2 and six of six post therapy. Progression-free survival was 100% at 25 months with all patients in remission. One patient was deemed ineligible for taking ritonavir, a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor, but developed G3/4 adverse events including febrile neutropenia, and pancreatitis and though consented was excluded from all evaluation.

CONCLUSION

AVD-BV was well tolerated at recommended phase 2 dose of 1.2 mg/kg. Concurrent strong CYP3A4 inhibitors should be avoided. A phase 2 study of AVD-BV is currently enrolling (NCT01771107).

Cervical cancer - State of the science: From angiogenesis blockade to checkpoint inhibition

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has emerged as a therapeutic target in several malignancies, including cervical cancer. Chemotherapy doublets combined with the fully humanized monoclonal antibody, bevacizumab, now constitute first-line therapy for women struggling with recurrent/metastatic cervical carcinoma. Regulatory approval for this indication was based on the phase III randomized trial, GOG 240, which demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in overall survival when bevacizumab was added to chemotherapy: 17.0 vs 13.3 months; HR 0.71; 98% CI, 0.54-0.95; p = .004. Incorporation of bevacizumab resulted in significant improvements in progression-free survival and response. These benefits were not accompanied by deterioration in quality of life. GOG 240 identified vaginal fistula as a new adverse event associated with bevacizumab use. All fistulas occurred in women who had received prior pelvic radiotherapy, and none resulted in emergency surgery, sepsis, or death. Final protocol-specified analysis demonstrated continued separation of the survival curves favoring VEGF inhibition: 16.8 vs 13.3 months; HR 0.77; 95% CI, 0.62-9.95; p = .007. Post-progression survival was not significantly different between the arms in GOG 240. Moving forward, immunotherapy has now entered the clinical trial arena to address the high unmet clinical need for effective and tolerable second line therapies in this patient population. Targeting the programmed cell death 1/programmed death ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) pathway using checkpoint inhibitors to break immunologic tolerance is promising. The immunologic landscape involving human papillomavirus-positive head and neck carcinoma and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma can be informative when considering feasibility of checkpoint blockade in advanced cervical cancer. Phase II studies using anti-PD-1 molecules, nivolumab and pembrolizumab are ongoing, and GOG 3016, the first phase III randomized trial of a checkpoint inhibitor (cemiplimab) in cervical cancer, recently activated. Important considerations in attempts to inhibit the inhibitors include pseudoprogression and post-progression survival, abscopal effects, and immune-related adverse events, including endocrinopathies.

Cancer in primary immunodeficiency diseases: Cancer incidence in the United States Immune Deficiency Network Registry

BACKGROUND

We evaluated the overall and site-specific incidence of cancer in subjects with primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDD) enrolled in the United States Immune Deficiency Network (USIDNET) registry compared with age-adjusted cancer incidence in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program (SEER) database.

OBJECTIVE

We hypothesized that subjects with PIDD would have an increased incidence of cancer due to impaired immune function.

METHODS

Overall and site-specific cancer incidence rates were evaluated in subjects with PIDD (n = 3658) enrolled in the USIDNET registry from 2003 to 2015 and compared with age-adjusted incidence rates in the SEER database.

RESULTS

We observed a 1.42-fold excess relative risk of cancer in subjects with PIDD compared with the age-adjusted SEER population (P < .001). Men with PIDD had a 1.91-fold excess relative risk of cancer compared with the age-adjusted male population (P < .001), while women with PIDD had similar overall cancer rates compared with the age-adjusted female population. Of the 4 most common malignancies in men and women in SEER (lung, colon, breast, and prostate cancers), we found no significant increase in these diagnoses in subjects with PIDD. Significant increases in lymphoma in both men (10-fold increase, P < .001) and women (8.34-fold increase, P < .001) with PIDD were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Excess incidence of cancer occurred in subjects with PIDD. An excess of lymphoma in specific PIDD populations principally drove this increased incidence, while no increased risk of the most common solid tumor malignancies was observed. These data point to a restricted role of the immune system in protecting from specific cancers.

Type-specific persistence and clearance rates of HPV genotypes in the oral and oropharyngeal mucosa in an HIV/AIDS cohort

BACKGROUND

Oral high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infections are frequent and persistent among the HIV-positive population and are associated with an increased risk for head and neck cancer (HNC). In this study, we sought to determine the incidence, persistence and clearance of HPV infections in oral and oropharyngeal samples from HIV/AIDS subjects.

METHODS

A longitudinal, observational and analytical study was performed with an ongoing cohort of HIV/AIDS subjects in Mexico City (September 2013-February 2015). The study was approved by institutional committees, and demographic and clinical data were registered. At the baseline and three-month visits, oral examinations and cytobrush samples were obtained. DNA was purified, quantified and used to detect an HPV-L1 gene fragment by nested PCR, using MY09/MY11 and GP5 + /GP6 + primers. HPV DNA products were purified, sequenced and typed according to HPV databases. Risk factors were assessed, and a multivariate modelling approach was used to determine independent effects.

RESULTS

This study included 97 HIV/AIDS individuals (91% men [86.4% of which are men who have sex with men], median age: 36 years, 72.2% under HAART). From the baseline visit, HPV was observed in 55.7% (HR-HPV: 26.8%; HPV-18: 24.1%), with a higher HPV-positive samples for smokers (61.1 vs 32.6%, P = .005). The three-month overall HPV incidence was 33.9%; type-specific HPV persistence was 33.3% (HR-HPV: 13.3%); and 13 of the 33 (39.4%) baseline HPV-positive individuals cleared the infection (HR-HPV: 53.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

Although HR-HPV persistence was low, and clearance of the infection was observed in most cases, a close follow-up is necessary, given the increase in HNC among HIV-subjects, particularly HPV-related cancer.

Cancer burden attributable to cigarette smoking among HIV-infected people in North America

OBJECTIVE

With combination-antiretroviral therapy, HIV-infected individuals live longer with an elevated burden of cancer. Given the high prevalence of smoking among HIV-infected populations, we examined the risk of incident cancers attributable to ever smoking cigarettes.

DESIGN

Observational cohort of HIV-infected participants with 270 136 person-years of follow-up in the North American AIDS Cohort Collaboration on Research and Design consortium. Among 52 441 participants, 2306 were diagnosed with cancer during 2000-2015.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Estimated hazard ratios and population-attributable fractions (PAF) associated with ever cigarette smoking for all cancers combined, smoking-related cancers, and cancers that were not attributed to smoking.

RESULTS

People with cancer were more frequently ever smokers (79%) compared with people without cancer (73%). Adjusting for demographic and clinical factors, cigarette smoking was associated with increased risk of cancer overall [hazard ratios = 1.33 (95% confidence interval: 1.18-1.49)]; smoking-related cancers [hazard ratios = 2.31 (1.80-2.98)]; lung cancer [hazard ratios = 17.80 (5.60-56.63)]; but not nonsmoking-related cancers [hazard ratios = 1.12 (0.98-1.28)]. Adjusted PAFs associated with ever cigarette smoking were as follows: all cancers combined, PAF = 19% (95% confidence interval: 13-25%); smoking-related cancers, PAF = 50% (39-59%); lung cancer, PAF = 94% (82-98%); and nonsmoking-related cancers, PAF = 9% (1-16%).

CONCLUSION

Among HIV-infected persons, approximately one-fifth of all incident cancer, including half of smoking-related cancer, and 94% of lung cancer diagnoses could potentially be prevented by eliminating cigarette smoking. Cigarette smoking could contribute to some cancers that were classified as nonsmoking-related cancers in this report. Enhanced smoking cessation efforts targeted to HIV-infected individuals are needed.

Differences in the Immune Microenvironment of Anal Cancer Precursors by HIV Status and Association With Ablation Outcomes

Background

Anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs) are the precursors to anal cancer and frequently persist or recur following electrocautery ablation (EA). Impaired mucosal immunity may facilitate anal carcinogenesis. We characterized the immune microenvironment of anal HSILs in correlation with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) serostatus and ablation outcomes.

Methods

Using immunohistochemistry, mucosa-infiltrating CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes were quantified in HSILs and benign mucosa from 70 HIV+ and 45 HIV- patients. Clinicopathological parameters were compared.

Results

Anal HSILs harbored more T lymphocytes than benign mucosa regardless of HIV status (P ≤ .03). Total T lymphocyte count and CD8+ subset were significantly higher in HIV+ HSILs versus HIV- HSILs (median cell count, 71 vs 47; 47 vs 22/high power field [HPF]; P < .001), whereas the CD4+ subset was comparable between groups (median, 24 vs. 25; P = .40). Post EA, HSILs persisted in 41% of HIV+ and 19% of HIV- patients (P = .04). Unadjusted analysis showed trends toward EA failures associated with HIV seropositivity (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 2.0; 95% CI, .8-4.9) and increased CD8+ cells (IRR, 2.3; 95% CI, .9-5.3).

Conclusions

Human immunodeficiency virus is associated with alterations of the immune microenvironment of anal HSILs manifested by increased local lymphocytic infiltrates, predominately CD8+. Human immunodeficiency virus seropositivity and excess mucosa-infiltrating CD8+ cells may be associated with ablation resistance.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy among patients treated for nonmetastatic breast cancer in a population with a high HIV prevalence in Johannesburg, South Africa

Background

Neoadjuvant (primary) chemotherapy (NACT) is the standard of care for locally advanced breast cancer. It also allows for the short-term assessment of chemotherapy response; a pathological complete responses correspond to improved long-term breast cancer outcomes. In sub-Saharan Africa, many patients are diagnosed with large nonresectable tumors. We examined NACT use in breast cancer patients who visited public hospitals in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Methods

We assessed demographic characteristics, tumor stage and grade, hormone receptor status, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status of female patients diagnosed with nonmetastatic invasive carcinoma of the breast at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2011. The patients received neoadjuvant, adjuvant, or no chemotherapy. Trastuzumab was unavailable. We developed logistic regression models to analyze the factors associated with NACT receipt in these patients.

Results

Of 554 women with nonmetastatic breast cancer, the median age at diagnosis was 52 years (range: 28–88 years). Only 5.8% of patients were diagnosed with stage I disease; 49.3% and 44.9% were diagnosed with stages II and III, respectively. Most patients had hormone-responsive tumors: luminal A, 38.1%; luminal B₁ (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 [HER2]-negative and high grade), 12.5%, and luminal B₂ (HER2-positive any grade), 11.6%; 11.6% had a HER2-enriched tumor and 20.6% a triple-negative tumor. Eighty (14.4%) patients were HIV-positive. In total, 195 patients (35.2%) received NACT, 264 (47.7%) patients received adjuvant chemotherapy, and 95 patients (17.1%) received no chemotherapy, including 62 (11.2%) patients who received only hormonal therapy. Of patients receiving NACT, 125 (64.1%) were evaluable for clinical response. Eighty (64.0%) patients had a clinically significant response; 19 (15.2%) patients had a stable disease, and 26 (20.8%) patients had a progressive disease. Multivariate analysis showed age <40 years and disease stage to be independently associated with the receipt of NACT.

Conclusion

Most women receiving NACT with available response data showed a clinical benefit. Stage III disease at diagnosis and age <40 years were predictors of neoadjuvant versus adjuvant chemotherapy treatment.

Screening for Cancer in Persons Living with HIV Infection

Survival with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has greatly improved due to effective antiretroviral therapy (ART). As infectious complications have declined, malignancy now accounts for over one-third of deaths among people living with HIV (PLWH). Based on practices in the general population, cancer screening of PLWH can decrease both morbidity and mortality. In this article, we review and consider directed approaches for colorectal, breast, cervical and lung cancer screening. Furthermore, routine physical examinations may detect lymphomas and skin, anal and oral cancers. Comprehensive cancer prevention in PLWH should also include ART adherence, vaccination against oncogenic viruses, treatment of hepatitis viruses and smoking cessation. Cancer screening for PLWH warrants further research on safety and efficacy as well as targeted efforts to increase adherence.

Social Determinants of LGBT Cancer Health Inequities

OBJECTIVES

To describe the extant literature on social determinants of health as they relate to the cancer disparities and to highlight the research findings relating to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) populations.

DATA SOURCES

Published scientific literature and clinical literature, and published reports from the World Health Organization and US Department of Health and Human Services.

CONCLUSION

The larger literature on health inequities is moving beyond individual-level predictors of risk to evaluate the influence of social determinants of health on the persistent health inequalities in a population. As it has for other groups, additional research into social determinants of health for LGBT persons of color may play an important role in identifying and reducing cancer inequities for this group.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Increased awareness of the factors that contribute to health inequities for the LGBT population may provide insight into improving patient-provider relationships with LGBT patients. A large body of experiential and clinical knowledge positions nurses to conduct meaningful research to expand the current understanding of the social determinants of LGBT cancer health inequities.

Gynecologic cancer in HIV-infected women: treatment and outcomes in a multi-institutional cohort

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate gynecologic cancer treatments in HIV-infected women for adherence to National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines and to describe survival by adherence to guidelines.

DESIGN

Beyond cervical cancer, there are little data on treatment and outcomes for these women. This is a retrospective cohort study of HIV-infected women with gynecologic cancers.

METHODS

HIV-infected women with gynecologic cancers from 2000 to 2015 were identified at two urban, comprehensive cancer centers. Chart reviews extracted demographic, HIV, and cancer-related variables. Cancer treatment was evaluated for adherence to NCCN guidelines. Overall survival was compared between those who received NCCN adherent and nonadherent cancer care.

RESULTS

Fifty-seven women were identified; 15 vulvar (26%), 26 cervical (46%), nine ovarian (16%), and seven endometrial (12%) cancers. Median time from HIV to cancer diagnosis was 8.5 years, and 88% of women were black. Thirty patients (53%) had stage I, and 27 (47%) had stage II-IV disease. Overall, 28 women (49%) received NCCN-adherent care; 22 of 30 stage I (73%) and six of 27 stage II-IV patients (22%). Among 29 women not receiving NCCN-adherent care, 69% were due to patient-related factors or toxicity. Among women with II-IV cancers, 48-month survival was higher in women who received NCCN-adherent care than those who did not (60 versus 28%).

CONCLUSION

Most HIV-infected women with advanced gynecologic cancers did not receive NCCN-adherent care and had worse survival compared to those who did. Focus on treatment-related toxicities and patient-related barriers to cancer care are necessary in this population.

Survival outcomes of primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in HIV-infected patients: a national population-based study

This study aimed to investigate clinical characteristics and survival outcomes of primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) in HIV-infected and non-HIV-infected patients. All data were from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program, 1973-2013, of the U.S. National Cancer Institute. Data of 318 HIV-infected patients and 1272 non-HIV-infected patients with primary CTCL were analyzed. Endpoints were overall survival and cancer-specific mortality. Independent variables included demographics, pre-existing malignancy, treatments, and environmental factors. Among 8823 patients with CTCL, 318 (3.60 per cent) were HIV-infected and 8505 (96.40 per cent) were not. 318 HIV-infected patients and 1272 non-HIV-infected patients selected by matching diagnosis dates were analyzed, including 941 (59.2 per cent) males and 649 (40.8 per cent) females with mean age 58.8 years. HIV-infected patients with CTCL had higher survival and significantly lower risk of overall mortality than non-HIV-infected patients (adjusted HR 0.37, 95 per cent CI 0.24 to 0.59, P<0.001). Non-HIV-infected, age and black race were significant risk factors for overall mortality. Age and race are independent risk factors for overall mortality in primary CTCL individuals, and HIV-infected status is an independent protective factor, suggesting that advanced antiretroviral therapy restores immunity and prolongs survival in HIV-infected patients with CTCL.

Prevalence of HIV in Patients with Malignancy and of Malignancy in HIV Patients in a Tertiary Care Center from North India

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

People living with HIV/AIDS are at an increased risk of developing cancer. The goals of this study were to obtain data on the prevalence of HIV in the cancer population and vice versa at a major tertiary cancer and HIV center in North India.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted over a 3-year period from July 2013 to June 2016, wherein successive HIV positive patients from an anti-retroviral therapy (ART) center were screened for malignancy. Simultaneously, successive cancer patients at the cancer center were screened for HIV. Baseline demographic details, risk factors, and laboratory investigations were obtained for all the patients.

RESULTS

Among the 999 HIV-positive patients at the ART center, the prevalence of malignancy was 2% (n=20; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13, 2.87). Among the 998 patients with a malignancy, the prevalence of HIV infection was 0.9% (n=9; 95% CI 0.31, 1.49). Weight loss, loss of appetite, and fever were the most common symptoms in patients with HIV and cancer. Among 29 patients with HIV and cancer, AIDS-defining cancer was found in 19 patients; non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was the most common malignancy reported (n=13).

INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION

There is a low prevalence of HIV in cancer patients as well as a low prevalence of cancer in HIV patients. AIDS-defining cancers remain much more common than non-AIDS-defining cancers. With the increased coverage of ART, it is expected that non-AIDSdefining cancers will increase, as is evident from data from more developed countries.

The Effect of MSM and CD4+ Count on the Development of Cancer AIDS (AIDS-defining Cancer) and Non-cancer AIDS in the HAART Era

BACKGROUND

The HIV epidemic is increasing among Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) and the risk for AIDS defining cancer (ADC) is higher among them.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effect of MSM and CD4+ count on time to cancer AIDS (ADC) and noncancer AIDS in competing risks setting in the HAART era.

METHOD

Using Ontario HIV Treatment Network Cohort Study data, HIV-positive adults diagnosed between January 1997 and October 2012 having baseline CD4+ counts ≤ 500 cells/mm3 were evaluated. Two survival outcomes, cancer AIDS and non-cancer AIDS, were treated as competing risks. Kaplan-Meier analysis, Cox cause-specific hazards (CSH) model and joint modeling of longitudinal and survival outcomes were used.

RESULTS

Among the 822 participants, 657 (79.9%) were males; 686 (83.5%) received anti-retroviral (ARV) ever. Regarding risk category, the majority (58.5%) were men who have Sex with men (MSM). Mean age was 37.4 years (SD = 10.3). In the multivariate Cox CSH models, MSM were not associated with cancer AIDS but with non-cancer AIDS [HR = 2.92; P = 0.055, HR = 0.54; P = 0.0009, respectively]. However, in joint models of longitudinal and survival outcomes, MSM were associated with cancer AIDS but not with non-cancer AIDS [HR = 3.86; P = 0.013, HR = 0.73; P = 0.10]. CD4+ count, age, ARV ever were associated with both events in the joint models.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates the importance of considering competing risks, and timedependent biomarker in the survival model. MSM have higher hazard for cancer AIDS. CD4+ count is associated with both survival outcomes.

HLA class I antigen processing machinery (APM) component expression and PD-1:PD-L1 pathway activation in HIV-infected head and neck cancers

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals are at increased risk for developing several non-AIDS related malignancies and are often excluded from cancer immunotherapy regimens. To evaluate the immune competence of this cancer patient population, we evaluated HLA class I antigen presenting machinery (APM) component expression and PD-1:PD-L1 pathway upregulation in HIV(+) and HIV(-) head and neck cancers (HNCs). Sixty-two HIV(+) and 44 matched HIV(-) controls diagnosed with HNC between 1991 and 2011 from five tertiary care referral centers in the United States were identified. HLA class I APM component, PD-1, and PD-L1 expression were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Clinical data was abstracted from the medical records. There was no significant difference between the cases and controls in LMP2, TAP1, HLA-A and HLA-B/C, as well as PD-1 and PD-L1 expression. Overall, 62% of all subjects had high PD-1 expression and 82% of the subjects expressed PD-L1 within the tumor microenvironment. LMP2, HLA-A and HLA-B/C expression were significantly associated with moderate to high PD-1 expression in the HIV(+) HNC cases (p = .004, p = .026, and p = .006, respectively) but not in the HIV(-) controls. In addition, HLA-A expression was significantly associated with PD-L1 expression in the HIV(+) HNC cases only (p = .029). HIV-infected individuals diagnosed with HNC do not have any detectable defects in HLA class I APM component expression and in PD-1:PD-L1 pathway activation. Given the current successes of HAART therapy in maintaining immune cell counts, HIV(+) patients diagnosed with cancer may benefit from the recently FDA-approved immune checkpoint blockade therapy.

HIV, Aging, and Viral Coinfections: Taking the Long View

Viral suppression of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) with combination antiviral therapy (cART) has led to increasing longevity but has not enabled a complete return to health among aging HIV-infected individuals (HIV+). Viral coinfections are prevalent in the HIV+ host and are implicated in cancer, liver disease, and accelerated aging. We must move beyond a simplistic notion of HIV becoming a "chronic controllable illness" and develop an understanding of how viral suppression alters the natural history of HIV infection, especially at the intersection of HIV with other common viral coinfections in the context of an altered, aging immune system.

The cost of comorbidities in treatment for HIV/AIDS in California

BACKGROUND

Antiretroviral therapy has increased longevity for people living with HIV (PLWH). As a result, PLWH increasingly experience the common diseases of aging and the resources needed to manage these comorbidities are increasing. This paper characterizes the number and types of comorbidities diagnosed among PLWH covered by Medicare and examines how non-HIV comorbidities relate to outpatient, inpatient, and pharmaceutical expenditures.

METHODS

The study examined Medicare expenditures for 9767 HIV-positive Californians enrolled in Medicare in 2010 (7208 persons dually covered by Medicare and Medicaid and 2559 with Medicare only). Costs included both out of pocket costs and those paid by Medicare and Medicaid. Comorbidities were determined by examining diagnosis codes.

FINDINGS

Medicare expenditures for Californians with HIV averaged $47,036 in 2010, with drugs accounting for about 2/3 of the total and outpatient costs 19% of the total. Inpatient costs accounted for 18% of the total. About 64% of the sample had at least one comorbidity in addition to HIV. Cross-validation showed that adding information on comorbidities to the quantile regression improved the accuracy of predicted individual expenditures. Non-HIV comorbidities relating to health habits-diabetes, hypertension, liver disease (hepatitis C), renal insufficiency-are common among PLWH. Cancer was relatively rare, but added significantly to cost. Comorbidities had little effect on pharmaceutical costs, which were dominated by the cost of antiretroviral therapy, but had a major effect on hospital admission.

CONCLUSIONS

Comorbidities are prevalent among PLWH and add substantially to treatment costs for PLWH. Many of these comorbidities relate to health habits that could be addressed with additional prevention in ambulatory care, thereby improving health outcomes and ultimately reducing costs.

Cancer screening in women living with HIV infection

The number of women living with HIV continues to increase. Thirty years into the AIDS epidemic, we now expect those with access to highly active antiretroviral to survive into their seventh decade of life or beyond. Increasingly, the focus of HIV care is evolving from preventing opportunistic infections and treating AIDS-defining malignancies to strategies that promote longevity. This holistic approach to care includes detection of malignancies that are associated with certain viral infections, with chronic inflammation, and with lifestyle choices. The decision to screen an HIV-infected women for cancer should include an appreciation of the individualized risk of cancer, her life expectancy, and an attempt to balance these concerns with the harms and benefits associated with specific cancer screening tests and their potential outcome. Here, we review cancer screening strategies for women living with HIV/AIDS with a focus on cancers of the lung, breast, cervix, anus, and liver.

Outcomes for HIV-associated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in the modern combined antiretroviral therapy era

OBJECTIVE

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) remains among the most frequent malignancies in persons living with HIV (PLWHIV). Survival among patients with HIV-associated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the most frequent NHL subtype, has improved markedly in recent years. We aimed to analyze characteristics and outcomes of DLBCL in HIV-infected patients in the era of modern combined antiretroviral therapy (cART).

DESIGN

PLWHIV with lymphoma were prospectively enrolled in the French ANRS-CO16 Lymphovir cohort between 2008 and 2015. We compared the patients treated with R-CHOP) (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, daunorubicin, vin-cristine, prednisolone) with HIV-negative DLBCL patients enrolled simultaneously in the R-CHOP arms of Lymphoma Study Association trials.

RESULTS

Among 110 PLWHIV with NHL, 52 (47%) had systemic DLBCL. These 52 cases had frequent extranodal disease (81%), poor performance status (35%) and advanced age-adjusted international prognostic index (aaIPI) (58%), and were mainly treated with R-CHOP (n = 44, 85%). Their median CD4 T-cell count was 233 cells/μl, and 79% of patients were on cART. The 2-year overall and progression-free survival rates were both 75% (95% confidence interval: 64%, 88%). Factors associated with progression or death in univariate analysis were poor performance status [hazard ratio: 3.3 (1.2, 8.9)], more than one extranodal site [hazard ratio: 3.4 (1.1, 10.5)] and an advanced aaIPI [hazard ratio: 3.7 (1.0, 13.1)]. Progression-free survival after R-CHOP therapy did not differ from that of the HIV-negative counterparts (P = 0.11).

CONCLUSION

In the recent cART era, despite frequent high-risk features, the 2-year overall survival of HIV-DLBCL patients reaches 75%. Outcomes after R-CHOP therapy are similar to those of HIV-negative patients with similar aaIPI.

Modernizing Clinical Trial Eligibility Criteria: Recommendations of the American Society of Clinical Oncology-Friends of Cancer Research HIV Working Group

Purpose People with HIV are living longer as a result of effective antiretroviral therapy. Cancer has become a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in this patient population. However, studies of novel cancer therapeutics have historically excluded patients with HIV. Critical review of eligibility criteria related to HIV is required to accelerate development of and access to effective therapeutics for HIV-infected patients with cancer and make studies more generalizable to this patient population. Methods From January through April 2016, the HIV Working Group conducted a series of teleconferences; a review of 46 New Drug Applications from registration studies of unique agents studied in adults with cancer that led to the initial US Food and Drug Administration approval of that agent from 2011 to 2015; and a review of HIV-related eligibility criteria from National Cancer Institute-sponsored studies. Results were discussed and refined at a multistakeholder workshop held May 12, 2016. The HIV Working Group developed recommendations for eligibility criteria that focus on pharmacologic and immunologic considerations in this patient population and that balance patient safety, access to appropriate investigational agents, and study integrity. Results Exclusion of patients with HIV remains common in most studies of novel cancer agents. Models for HIV-related eligibility criteria in National Cancer Institute-sponsored studies are instructive. HIV infection itself should no longer be an exclusion criterion for most studies. Eligibility criteria related to HIV infection that address concurrent antiretroviral therapy and immune status should be designed in a manner that is appropriate for a given cancer. Conclusion Expanding clinical trial eligibility to be more inclusive of patients with HIV is justified in most cases and may accelerate the development of effective therapies in this area of unmet clinical need.

HIV Status and Associated Clinical Characteristics Among Adult Patients With Cancer at the Uganda Cancer Institute

Purpose

HIV increases cancer incidence and mortality. In Uganda, the HIV epidemic has led to an elevated incidence of AIDS-defining cancers (ADCs) and non–AIDS-defining cancers (NADCs). Limited information exists about how frequently HIV infection complicates the presentation and manifestations of cancer in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods

We abstracted medical records from patients with cancer who were age 18 years or older who registered at the Uganda Cancer Institute from June through September 2015 to determine the burden of HIV. We used χ² tests and generalized linear models to evaluate factors associated with HIV positivity. A sensitivity analysis estimated HIV prevalence in those untested.

Results

Among 1,137 patients with cancer, 23% were HIV infected, 48% were HIV negative, and 29% had no recorded HIV status. Of those with recorded HIV status, 32% were HIV positive. Forty-two percent (149 of 361 patients) with ADCs were documented as HIV infected (51% of those with documented status) compared with 14% (108 of 776 patients) of those with NADCs (21% of those with documented status). In multivariable analysis, HIV infection was associated with ADC diagnosis (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] compared with NADC, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.5 to 3.0), younger age (aPR, 0.9 per decade increase; 95% CI, 0.8 to 1.0), and worse performance status scores (aPR, 1.2 per point ECOG increase; 95% CI, 1.0 to 1.5). When sensitivity analysis accounted for undocumented HIV status, the expected prevalence of HIV infection was 29% (range, 23% to 32%), and almost one fourth of expected HIV cases were undiagnosed or unrecorded.

Conclusion

The prevalence of HIV infection among Ugandan patients with cancer is substantially higher than in the general population. Patients with cancer and HIV tend to be younger and have poorer performance status. Greater awareness of the dual burden of cancer and HIV in Uganda and universal testing of patients with cancer may improve outcomes of HIV-associated malignancies.

Cancer risk in HIV-infected people in the USA from 1996 to 2012: a population-based, registry-linkage study

BACKGROUND

Monitoring cancer risk among HIV-infected people in the modern antiretroviral therapy (ART) era is essential given their elevated risk for many cancers and prolonged survival with immunosuppression, ART exposure, and ageing. We aimed to examine cancer risk in HIV-infected people in the USA as compared with that in the general population.

METHODS

We did a registry-linkage study with data from population-based HIV and cancer registries in the USA (the HIV/AIDS Cancer Match Study). We assessed a cohort of HIV-infected people identified in HIV registries in Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, and Texas from 1996 to 2012. Follow-up started 3 months after either the latest of the beginning of systematic name-based state HIV registration, HIV report date (or AIDS diagnosis, if this was earlier), start of cancer registration, or Jan 1, 1996, and ended at the earliest of either death, end of cancer-registry coverage, or Dec 31, 2012. We identified diagnoses of cancer in this population through linkage with corresponding cancer registries and calculated standardised incidence ratios (SIRs) to measure cancer risk in people with HIV compared with the USA general population, by dividing the observed number of cases in people with HIV by the expected number (estimated by applying general population cancer-incidence rates to person-time in the HIV population based on sex, age, race or ethnic group, calendar year, and registry). We tested SIR differences by AIDS status and over time using Poisson regression.

FINDINGS

Among 448 258 people with HIV (who contributed 3 093 033 person-years), 21 294 incident cancers were diagnosed during 1996-2012. In these people, compared with the general population, risk was elevated (p<0·0001 for all) for cancer overall (SIR 1·69, 95% CI 1·67-1·72), AIDS-defining cancers (Kaposi's sarcoma [498·11, 477·82-519·03], non-Hodgkin lymphoma [11·51, 11·14-11·89], and cervix [3·24, 2·94-3·56]), most other virus-related cancers (eg, anus [19·06, 18·13-20·03], liver [3·21, 3·02-3·41], and Hodgkin's lymphoma [7·70, 7·20-8·23]), and some virus-unrelated cancers (eg, lung [1·97, 1·89-2·05]), but not for other common cancers. Risk for several cancers was higher after AIDS onset and declined across calendar periods. After multivariable adjustment, SIRs decreased significantly across 1996-2012 for Kaposi's sarcoma, two subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and cancer of the anus, liver, and lung, but remained elevated. SIRs did not increase over time for any cancer.

INTERPRETATION

For several virus-related cancers and lung cancer, declining risks over time in HIV-infected people probably reflect the expansion of ART since 1996. Additional efforts aimed at cancer prevention and screening in people with HIV are warranted.

FUNDING

National Cancer Institute.

Fast-Growing Subcutaneous Tumors with Lower-Extremity Edema and Rib Lesions: A Case of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in an HIV-1-Infected Patient

Patient: Male, 41

Final Diagnosis: Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Symptoms: Fast-growing subcutaneous tumors with lower-extremity edema

Medication: —

Clinical Procedure: —

Specialty: Hematology

The role of oncogenic human papillomavirus determination for diagnosis of high-grade anal intraepithelial neoplasia in HIV-infected MSM

OBJECTIVE

To assess the oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) determination and the cotesting HPV and anal cytology value to detect high-grade anal intraepithelial neoplasia (HGAIN) in a cohort of HIV-MSM.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Prospective study of HIV-infected MSM who underwent screening for anal dysplasia. Screening program includes anal cytology, HPV testing, and high-resolution anoscopy (HRA) at each visit. Histological samples were obtained if suspicious lesions were revealed by HRA. Sensitivity and specificity of the different tests were calculated by using histological results of HRA-guided biopsy as the reference test for HGAIN diagnosis.

RESULTS

From May 2009 to August 2016, 692 HIV-infected MSM underwent 1827 anal cytologies, 1841 HRA examinations, and 1607 HPV testing. At first screening visit, anal cytology results were abnormal in 418 (60.4%) of 692 patients, and oncogenic HPV genotypes were found in 482 (79.5%) of 606 patients. Anal cytology showed a sensitivity of 89.2% [95% confidence interval (CI); 80.7-94.2] and a specificity of 44.2% (95% CI; 40.2-48.2) to detect HGAIN. Oncogenic HPV testing had 90.4% sensitivity (95% CI; 82-86.8) and 24.4% specificity (95% CI; 20.8-28.3). Cotesting showed a 97.4% sensitivity (95% CI; 91-99.3) and 14% specificity (95% CI; 11.2-17.3). In patients with atypical squamous cells of uncertain significance on cytology, oncogenic HPV testing had 91.3% sensitivity and 28.3% specificity to detect HGAIN.

CONCLUSION

Abnormal cytology and oncogenic HPV determination showed similar sensitivity for detecting HGAIN. The two tests used together improved the sensitivity but with lowered specificity. In our opinion, HPV testing does not improve HGAIN detection and should not replace anal cytology as a standard screening test for HIV-infected MSM.

Comparing the geographic distribution and location characteristics of HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative individuals with a diagnosis of cancer living in the southeast US

As HIV-seropositive individuals live longer, they are more likely to acquire conditions seen in the general population. Excluding AIDS-defining malignancies, HIV-seropositive individuals are more likely to develop cancer than individuals in the general population. In order to better inform future screening and prevention efforts in this population, we compared the geographic distribution and location characteristics of HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative cancer cases in South Carolina (SC). To do this we obtained linked HIV and cancer data from the SC enhanced HIV/AIDS Reporting System and Central Cancer Registry. Location-related information on SC residents (e.g., employment status, income levels, race of householder, and educational attainment) was obtained from the 2000 US Census. Hotspot analyses were used to analyze the geographic distribution of HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative cancer cases using the Getis-Ord Gi* statistic. Poisson regression analyses assessed if county demographic and geographic characteristics were associated with HIV-positive cancer case rates.

Use of a physiologically based pharmacokinetic model to simulate drug-drug interactions between antineoplastic and antiretroviral drugs

Background

Co-administration of antineoplastics with ART is challenging due to potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs). However, trials specifically assessing such DDIs are lacking. Our objective was to simulate DDIs between the antineoplastics erlotinib and gefitinib with key antiretroviral drugs and to predict dose adjustments using a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model.

Methods

In vitro data describing chemical properties and pharmacokinetic processes of each drug and their effect on cytochrome P450 isoforms were obtained from the literature. Plasma drug-concentration profiles were simulated in a virtual population of 50 individuals receiving erlotinib or gefitinib alone or with darunavir/ritonavir, efavirenz or etravirine. Simulated pharmacokinetic parameters and the magnitude of DDIs with probe drugs (midazolam, maraviroc) were compared with literature values. Erlotinib and gefitinib pharmacokinetics with and without antiretrovirals were compared and dose-adjustment strategies were evaluated.

Results

Simulated parameters of each drug and the magnitude of DDIs with probe drugs were in agreement with reference values. Darunavir/ritonavir increased erlotinib and gefitinib exposure, while efavirenz and etravirine decreased erlotinib and gefitinib concentrations. Based on our predictions, dose-adjustment strategies may consist of once-daily dosing erlotinib at 25 mg and gefitinib at 125 mg with darunavir/ritonavir; or erlotinib at 200 mg and gefitinib at 375 mg with etravirine. The interaction with efavirenz was not overcome even after doubling erlotinib or gefitinib doses.

Conclusions

PBPK models predicted the in vivo pharmacokinetics of erlotinib, gefitinib and the antiretrovirals darunavir/ritonavir, efavirenz and etravirine, and the DDIs between them. The simulated dose-adjustments may represent valuable strategies to optimize antineoplastic therapy in HIV-infected patients.

Predictors of HPV incidence and clearance in a cohort of Brazilian HIV-infected women

Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) is necessary for the development of precursor lesions and cervical cancer. HPV infection among women living with HIV/AIDS (WLHA) occurs more frequently, presents a higher rate of persistent infections and an earlier progression to cancer. We aimed to evaluate HR-HPV prevalence, incidence and clearance, and its association with HIV viral suppression, immunological response and other risk factors among WLHA followed at an STD/HIV reference center. This was a cohort study conducted at a reference center for STD/AIDS in Northeastern Brazil from September 2013 to September 2015. Follow-up visits were conducted at 6 and 12 months after enrolment, where socio-epidemiological data were obtained. Cervical samples were collected for conventional cytology and HPV DNA research (PCR COBAS® Roche) in addition to blood samples for CD4+ T lymphocyte count and HIV viral load. We prospectively evaluated 333 women. HR-HPV DNA prevalence was 33.3% at baseline. HPV-16 was present in 5.1%, HPV-18 in 3.9% and 29.4% WLHA had other HR-HPV (31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66 and 68). The HR-HPV incidence during the follow-up was 10.8%, at the 6-month visit was 7.7% and at the 12-month visit was 3.7%. Variables associated with HR-HPV incidence were: nulliparity, combined oral contraceptive use and detectable HIV viral load. The HR-HPV clearance rate was 41.7% and was associated with age >30 years and lymphocyte T CD4 count >500 cells/mm3 at enrolment. These findings contribute to the knowledge about a group of women that need more careful HPV screening and describe the association between an efficient immunological response and HIV viral suppression with lower incidence and increased clearance of HR-HPV.

Human papillomavirus-related oropharyngeal cancer in the HIV-infected population

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted virus and an important etiologic factor in head and neck cancers. HIV-infected individuals are at increased risk of developing oropharyngeal cancers (OPC) compared with the general population. HPV-positive OPC are also increasingly a significant cause of morbidity and mortality for HIV-infected individuals in the era of effective combination antiretroviral therapy. The epidemiology and natural history of oral HPV infection have not been well established, but it appears that oral HPV infection is less common than anal infection, and more common among HIV-infected persons than the general population. Prevention of OPC is therefore increasingly important in HIV-infected individuals. Although not demonstrated in randomized controlled trials, HPV vaccination may prevent oral HPV infection as well. The focus of organized HPV cancer prevention programs should include prophylactic HPV vaccination to reduce the burden of high-risk HPV and low-risk HPV types who have not yet been exposed.

HIV-1 matrix protein p17 and its variants promote human triple negative breast cancer cell aggressiveness

Background

The introduction of cART has changed the morbidity and mortality patterns affecting HIV-infected (HIV⁺) individuals. The risk of breast cancer in HIV⁺ patients has now approached the general population risk. However, breast cancer has a more aggressive clinical course and poorer outcome in HIV⁺ patients than in general population, without correlation with the CD4 or virus particles count. These findings suggest a likely influence of HIV-1 proteins on breast cancer aggressiveness and progression. The HIV-1 matrix protein (p17) is expressed in different tissues and organs of successfully cART-treated patients and promotes migration of different cells. Variants of p17 (vp17s), characterized by mutations and amino acid insertions, differently from the prototype p17 (refp17), also promote B-cell proliferation and transformation.

Methods

Wound-healing assay, matrigel-based invasion assay, and anchorage-independent proliferation assay were employed to compare the biological activity exerted by refp17 and three different vp17s on the triple-negative human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB 231. Intracellular signaling was investigated by western blot analysis.

Results

Motility and invasiveness increased in cells treated with both refp17 and vp17s compared to untreated cells. The effects of the viral proteins were mediated by binding to the chemokine receptor CXCR2 and activation of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway. However, vp17s promoted MDA-MB 231 cell growth and proliferation in contrast to refp17-treated or not treated cells.

Conclusions

In the context of the emerging role of the microenvironment in promoting and supporting cancer cell growth and metastatic spreading, here we provide the first evidence that exogenous p17 may play a crucial role in sustaining breast cancer cell migration and invasiveness, whereas some p17 variants may also be involved in cancer cell growth and proliferation.

A review of drug-drug interactions in older HIV-infected patients

INTRODUCTION

The number of older HIV-infected people is growing due to increasing life expectancies resulting from the use of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Both HIV and aging increase the risk of other comorbidities, such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and some malignancies, leading to greater challenges in managing HIV with other conditions. This results in complex medication regimens with the potential for significant drug-drug interactions and increased morbidity and mortality. Area covered: We review the metabolic pathways of ART and other medications used to treat medical co-morbidities, highlight potential areas of concern for drug-drug interactions, and where feasible, suggest alternative approaches for treating these conditions as suggested from national guidelines or articles published in the English language. Expert commentary: There is limited evidence-based data on ART drug interactions, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in the older HIV-infected population. Choosing and maintaining effective ART regimens for older adults requires consideration of side effect profile, individual comorbidities, interactions with concurrent prescriptions and non-prescription medications and supplements, dietary patterns with respect to dosing, pill burden and ease of dosing, cost and affordability, patient preferences, social situation, and ART resistance history. Practitioners must remain vigilant for potential drug interactions and intervene when there is a potential for harm.

The pattern of secondary cancers in patients with Kaposi sarcoma in the United States

PURPOSE

In the U.S., Kaposi sarcoma (KS) occurs mostly in HIV-infected patients, who are also at increased risk of developing secondary cancers. The trends in secondary cancer risk are unclear in the HAART era.

METHODS

We extracted data from the SEER database on patients diagnosed with KS between 1981 and 2013, stratified into the pre-HAART (1981-1995) and HAART (1996-2013) eras. We compared the risk of secondary cancer in KS patients and the general population, and estimated the absolute risk.

RESULTS

We followed 13,535 KS patients for 49,813 person-years, during which 1,041 secondary cancers were diagnosed: 774 in the pre-HAART and 267 in the HAART era. In the pre-HAART era, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and anal carcinomas were the most common secondary cancers. The standard incidence ratio of secondary cancers decreased from 3.44 (pre-HAART era) to 1.94 (HAART era) in patients aged <70 years. The absolute excess risk decreased from 178 to 68 cases per 10,000 person-years. The risk of NHL decreased, while the risk of anal carcinoma did not change significantly. The risk of lung cancer was lower in KS patients than in the general population. The absolute risk of non-AIDS-defining cancers increased fourfold in the HAART era.

CONCLUSIONS

The absolute risk of non-AIDS-defining secondary cancers has increased in KS patients in the HAART era. However, the overall relative risk of secondary cancers has decreased, mainly due to a significant decrease in the risk of NHL.

Epstein-Barr virus associated lymphomas in people with HIV

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The present review summarizes the association of the different histotypes of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated lymphomas with known genetic lesions and/or oncogenic viruses. A more comprehensive understanding of the complex interplay existing between genetic abnormalities of tumor cells and the viral contribution to the development of EBV-associated lymphomas is pivotal for the development of more effective treatments.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent evidence indicates that HIV may contribute to lymphomagenesis by acting directly on B lymphocytes as a critical microenvironmental factor. The pathogenesis of EBV-associated lymphomas in patients with HIV infection is considered the result of the concerted action of different factors, mainly including impaired immune surveillance, genetic alterations, and concomitant viral infection (EBV and HIV).

SUMMARY

Immunodeficiency states usually increase susceptibility to cancer as a result of reduced immune surveillance and enhanced chances for virus-driven oncogenesis. Lymphoma remains the most frequent neoplastic cause of death among patients infected with HIV. Several of the HIV-associated lymphomas are related to EBV infection. EBV-associated lymphomas in patients infected with HIV are heterogeneous, not only pathologically but also in terms of pathogenetic pathways and cellular derivation.

Cancer care disparities in people with HIV in the United States

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Cancer is a growing problem in the HIV population, in large part because of aging of HIV-infected people treated with antiretroviral therapy. Overall and cancer-specific survival is worse in HIV-infected cancer patients compared with uninfected patients. One potential reason for the observed survival deficit is differences in cancer treatment.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent population-based data suggest that HIV-infected cancer patients are less likely to receive cancer treatment compared with uninfected patients. This review describes these treatment disparities and their impact on patient outcomes, explores reasons for the disparity and highlights areas for future research.

SUMMARY

Cancer is the leading cause of non-AIDS death in HIV-infected individuals. Understanding the underlying cancer treatment disparity between HIV-infected patients and their uninfected counterparts, and developing solutions to address the problem, is of great importance to improve cancer outcomes in this growing patient population.

Cancer-Attributable Mortality Among People With Treated Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection in North America

BACKGROUND

Cancer remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWHIV) on effective antiretroviral therapy (ART). Estimates of cancer-attributable mortality can inform public health efforts.

METHODS

We evaluated 46956 PWHIV receiving ART in North American HIV cohorts (1995-2009). Using information on incident cancers and deaths, we calculated population-attributable fractions (PAFs), estimating the proportion of deaths due to cancer. Calculations were based on proportional hazards models adjusted for age, sex, race, HIV risk group, calendar year, cohort, CD4 count, and viral load.

RESULTS

There were 1997 incident cancers and 8956 deaths during 267145 person-years of follow-up, and 11.9% of decedents had a prior cancer. An estimated 9.8% of deaths were attributable to cancer (cancer-attributable mortality rate 327 per 100000 person-years). PAFs were 2.6% for AIDS-defining cancers (ADCs, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma, 2.0% of deaths) and 7.1% for non-AIDS-defining cancers (NADCs: lung cancer, 2.3%; liver cancer, 0.9%). PAFs for NADCs were higher in males and increased strongly with age, reaching 12.5% in PWHIV aged 55+ years. Mortality rates attributable to ADCs and NADCs were highest for PWHIV with CD4 counts <100 cells/mm3. PAFs for NADCs increased during 1995-2009, reaching 10.1% in 2006-2009.

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately 10% of deaths in PWHIV prescribed ART during 1995-2009 were attributable to cancer, but this fraction increased over time. A large proportion of cancer-attributable deaths were associated with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, lung cancer, and liver cancer. Deaths due to NADCs will likely grow in importance as AIDS mortality declines and PWHIV age.

Human papillomaviruses and carcinogenesis: well-established and novel models

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) infect the cutaneous or mucosal epithelia and are classified phylogenetically as genera and species. Persistent infections by the mucosal high-risk (HR) HPV types from genus alpha are associated with cancer development of the genital and upper respiratory tracts. The products of two early genes, E6 and E7, are the major HR HPV oncoproteins, being essential in all steps of the carcinogenic process. Cutaneous beta HPV types are proposed, together with ultraviolet (UV) radiation, to promote non-melanoma skin cancer development. However, in contrast to the HR HPV types, beta HPV types appear to be required only at an early stage of carcinogenesis, facilitating the accumulation of UV-induced DNA mutations. Although findings in experimental models also suggest that beta HPV types and other carcinogens may synergize in the induction of malignancies, these possibilities need to be confirmed in human studies.

Cervical cancer risk and impact of Pap-based screening in HIV-positive women on antiretroviral therapy in Johannesburg, South Africa

Data on invasive cervical cancer (ICC) incidence in HIV-positive women and the effect of cervical cancer screening in sub-Saharan Africa are scarce. We estimated i) ICC incidence rates in women (≥18 years) who initiated antiretroviral therapy (ART) at the Themba Lethu Clinic (TLC) in Johannesburg, South Africa, between 2004 and 2011 and ii) the effect of a Pap-based screening program. We included 10,640 women; median age at ART initiation: 35 years [interquartile range (IQR) 30-42], median CD4 count at ART initiation: 113 cells/µL (IQR 46-184). During 27,257 person-years (pys), 138 women were diagnosed with ICC; overall incidence rate: 506/100,000 pys [95% confidence interval (CI) 428-598]. The ICC incidence rate was highest (615/100,000 pys) in women who initiated ART before cervical cancer screening became available in 04/2005 and was lowest (260/100,000 pys) in women who initiated ART from 01/2009 onward when the cervical cancer screening program and access to treatment of cervical lesions was expanded [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 0.42, 95% CI 0.20-0.87]. Advanced HIV/AIDS stage (4 versus 1, aHR 1.95, 95% CI 1.17-3.24) and middle age at ART initiation (36-45 versus 18-25 years, aHR 2.51, 95% CI 1.07-5.88) were risk factors for ICC. The ICC incidence rate substantially decreased with the implementation of a Pap-based screening program and improved access to treatment of cervical lesions. However, the risk of developing ICC after ART initiation remained high. To inform and improve ICC prevention and care for HIV-positive women in sub-Saharan Africa, implementation and monitoring of cervical cancer screening programs are essential.

Risk of Colorectal Cancer and Associated Mortality in HIV: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

As people with HIV live longer, the numbers of colorectal cancer cases are expected to increase. We sought to compare the colorectal cancer incidence and cause-specific mortality among people living with and without HIV.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

We searched 5 electronic databases up to June 28, 2016, for primary studies reporting standardized incidence ratios (SIRs), standardized mortality ratios (SMRs)/hazard ratios or data sufficient for estimating these summary measures. We performed a random effects pooled analysis to estimate SIR and SMR of colorectal cancer in HIV.

RESULTS

Of 8110 articles, we included 27 studies from North America (n = 18), Europe (n = 7), the Pacific region (n = 4), and South America (n = 1). Overall, 1660 cases of colorectal cancer and colon cancer (excluding rectal cancer) occurred among 1,696,070 persons with HIV. In pooled analysis, we found no summary risk of malignancy among those with HIV relative to an uninfected population (SIR 1.00; 95% confidence interval 0.82 to 1.22; I = 89.2%). Colorectal cancer-specific mortality was higher among people with HIV but did not reach statistical significance (SMR 2.09; 95% confidence interval: 1.00 to 4.40; I = 85.0%).

CONCLUSIONS

Rates of colorectal cancer are similar between people with and without HIV. Existing screening guidelines are likely adequate for people with HIV.

A single amino acid substitution confers B-cell clonogenic activity to the HIV-1 matrix protein p17

Recent data highlight the presence, in HIV-1-seropositive patients with lymphoma, of p17 variants (vp17s) endowed with B-cell clonogenicity, suggesting a role of vp17s in lymphomagenesis. We investigated the mechanisms responsible for the functional disparity on B cells between a wild-type p17 (refp17) and a vp17 named S75X. Here, we show that a single Arginine (R) to Glycine (G) mutation at position 76 in the refp17 backbone (p17R76G), as in the S75X variant, is per se sufficient to confer a B-cell clonogenic potential to the viral protein and modulate, through activation of the PTEN/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, different molecules involved in apoptosis inhibition (CASP-9, CASP-7, DFF-45, NPM, YWHAZ, Src, PAX2, MAPK8), cell cycle promotion and cancer progression (CDK1, CDK2, CDK8, CHEK1, CHEK2, GSK-3 beta, NPM, PAK1, PP2C-alpha). Moreover, the only R to G mutation at position 76 was found to strongly impact on protein folding and oligomerization by altering the hydrogen bond network. This generates a conformational shift in the p17 R76G mutant which enables a functional epitope(s), masked in refp17, to elicit B-cell growth-promoting signals after its interaction with a still unknown receptor(s). Our findings offer new opportunities to understand the molecular mechanisms accounting for the B-cell growth-promoting activity of vp17s.

Prevalence of anogenital HPV infection, related disease and risk factors among HIV-infected men in inner-city Johannesburg, South Africa: baseline findings from a cohort study

BACKGROUND

Persistent high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection is associated with the development of anogenital cancers, particularly in men living with HIV (MLWH). We describe the prevalence of anogenital HPV infection, abnormal anal cytology and anogenital warts (AGWs) in MLWH in Johannesburg, and explore whether HPV infection and receipt of antiretroviral treatment is associated with detection of abnormal anal cytology and AGWs.

METHODS

We enrolled a cohort of 304 sexually-active MLWH ≥18 years, who completed a questionnaire and physical examination. Genital swabs were collected from all men and intra-anal swabs from 250 (82%). Swabs were tested for HPV DNA and genotypes, and anal smears graded using the Bethesda classification. Factors associated with anogenital disease were assessed by logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Two thirds were receiving antiretroviral treatment, for a median 33 months (IQR = 15-58) and 54% were HIV-virologically suppressed. Only 5% reported ever having sex with men. Among 283 genital swabs with valid results, 79% had any HPV, 52% had HR-HPV and 27% had >1 HR-HPV infection. By comparison, 39% of the 227 valid intra-anal swabs had detectable HPV, 25% had any HR-HPV and 7% >1 HR infection. While most anal smears were normal (51%), 20% had ASCUS and 29% were LSIL. No cases had HSIL or cancer. Infection with >1 HR type (adjusted OR [aOR] = 2.39; 95%CI = 1.02-5.58) and alpha-9 types (aOR = 3.98; 95%CI = 1.42-11.16) were associated with having abnormal cytology. Prevalence of AGWs was 12%. Infection with any LR type (aOR = 41.28; 95%CI = 13.57-125.62), >1 LR type (aOR = 4.14; 95%CI = 1.60-10.69), being <6 months on antiretroviral treatment (aOR = 6.90; 95%CI = 1.63-29.20) and having a CD4+ count <200 cells/μL (aOR = 5.48; 95%CI: 1.60-18.78) were associated with having AGWs.

CONCLUSIONS

In this population, anogenital HR-HPV infection and associated low-grade disease is common, but severe anal dysplasia was not detected. Findings reinforce the need for HPV vaccination in men for preventing both AGWs and HR-HPV infection. Given the absence of anal HSILs, however, the findings do not support the use of anal screening programmes in this population.

Prevalence of defining malignancies in adult patients with HIV/AIDS in the National Cancer Institute of Colombia. 2007-2014

Introducción. El uso de la terapia antirretroviral ha aumentado la supervivencia de los pacientes con virus de inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) y, como consecuencia, la prevalencia de cánceres definitorios y no definitorios. En Colombia no se conoce información al respecto.Objetivo. Determinar la prevalencia de neoplasias definitorias en pacientes adultos con VIH del Instituto Nacional de Cancerología en un período de 7 años.Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo que incluyó pacientes adultos con diagnóstico de VIH y cáncer. Se analizaron variables sociodemográficas, conteo de CD4, carga viral y tratamiento antirretroviral. Se establecieron medidas de asociación entre las últimas tres variables y la aparición de neoplasias definitorias.Resultados. Se estudiaron 139 pacientes con diagnóstico de VIH y cáncer, 84.2% de los cuales eran hombres. El rango de edad osciló entre 18 y 71 años con una media de 41.3±10.9 años. Las neoplasias definitorias se presentaron en 65.5% de los casos; la más frecuente fue el linfoma no Hodgkin. El porcentaje restante correspondió a neoplasias no definitorias, en su mayoría, cáncer anal y linfoma de Hodgkin.Conclusión. Pese a la tendencia mundial, en la población evaluada hay preponderancia de neoplasias definitorias, las cuales —al igual que el VIH— siguen detectándose de forma tardía.