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Ssedyabane F, Niyonzima N, Nambi Najjuma J, Birungi A, Atwine R, Tusubira D, Randall TC, Castro CM, Lee H, Ngonzi J. Prevalence of cervical intraepithelial lesions and associated factors among women attending a cervical cancer clinic in Western Uganda; results based on Pap smear cytology. SAGE Open Med 2024; 12:20503121241252265. [PMID: 38764539 PMCID: PMC11100407 DOI: 10.1177/20503121241252265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction There are high incidence and mortality rates of cervical cancer among females in East Africa. This is exacerbated by limited up-to-date data on premalignant lesions and associated factors in this setting. In this study, we determined the prevalence of cervical intraepithelial lesions and associated factors among women attending the Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital cervical cancer clinic in Southwestern Uganda. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 364 participants were recruited from among women attending the Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital cervical cancer clinic from 1 April to 30 June 2023. On consent, the study nurse collected demographic data and Pap smears, which were microscopically examined and reported by a laboratory scientist and a pathologist following the Bethesda grading system (2014). Statistical analyses were done in STATA version 17, using proportions, Chi-square, bivariate, and multivariate logistic regression analysis to determine associated factors at ⩽0.05 significance level. Results The mean age of participants was 41.9 years. A third of all study participants (37.6%, 132/351) were contraceptive users, mostly hormonal contraceptives (87.1%, 115/132). Almost 88% (307/351) had an unknown Human Papilloma Virus status. The prevalence of cervical intraepithelial lesions among our study participants was 6.6% (23/351), of which 73.9% (17/23) were low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions. More than half (9/17, 52.9%) of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions were active hormonal contraceptive users. Use of hormonal contraceptives (OR: 3.032, p: 0.0253), use of intrauterine devices (OR: 6.284, p: 0.039), and any family history of cervical cancer (OR: 4.144, p: 0.049) were significantly associated with cervical intraepithelial lesions. Conclusion The prevalence of cervical intraepithelial lesions was 6.6%, lower than global estimates. Use of hormonal and intrauterine device contraceptives, as well as family history of cervical cancer, were significantly associated with cervical intraepithelial lesions among our study population. Prospective studies are recommended to further understand associations between different types of intrauterine devices and hormonal contraceptives, and cervical lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Ssedyabane
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | | | - Josephine Nambi Najjuma
- Department of Nursing, Mbarara University of Science of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Abraham Birungi
- Department of Pathology, Mbarara University of Science of Science and Technology, Mbarara Uganda
| | - Raymond Atwine
- Department of Pathology, Mbarara University of Science of Science and Technology, Mbarara Uganda
| | - Deusdedit Tusubira
- Department of Biochemistry, Mbarara University of Science of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Thomas C Randall
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Cesar M Castro
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hakho Lee
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joseph Ngonzi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mbarara University of Science of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
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Doll C, Hofmann E, Preissner R, Heiland M, Seeland U, Konietschke F, Sehouli J, Preissner S. Exogenous Estrogen in the Development of Head and Neck Cancer. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2024; 150:378-384. [PMID: 38546631 PMCID: PMC10979360 DOI: 10.1001/jamaoto.2023.4739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024]
Abstract
Importance Sex differences in head and neck cancer (HNC) incidence suggest a potential contribution of sex hormones. Objective To assess the role of exogenous estrogen exposure in the development of HNC in female patients. Design, Settings, and Participants This large multicenter cohort study using clinical records from the TriNetX real-world database included 20 years of data (through May 31, 2023) from 87 health care organizations. The TriNetX database was searched for medical records for female patients with and without exogenous estrogen exposure according to their chronological age. Cohort 1 included 731 366 female patients aged 18 to 45 years old with regular oral contraceptive (OC) intake and cohort 2 included 3 886 568 patients in the same age group who did not use OC. Cohort 3 comprised 135 875 female patients at least 50 years old receiving hormone replacement therapy (HRT), whereas cohort 4 included 5 875 270 patients at least 50 years old without HRT. Propensity score matching was performed for the confounders age, alcohol dependence, and nicotine dependence. Data analyses were performed in May 2023. Main Outcome and Measures Diagnosis of HNC (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision: C00-C14), and after propensity score matching (1:1 nearest-neighbor greedy matching), a risk analysis to investigate risk differences and risk ratios (RRs) with a 95% CI. Results Among the 718 101 female patients in each of cohorts 1 and 2 (mean [SD] age at diagnosis, 25.9 [6.7] years), those with OC intake had a higher risk of an HNC diagnosis (RR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.21-1.78) than those without OC use. Among the 131 835 female patients in each of cohorts 3 and 4 (mean [SD] age, 67.9 [12.0] years), those with postmenopausal HRT intake had a lower risk of an HNC diagnosis (RR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.64-0.92) than those without HRT use. Conclusions and Relevance The findings of this cohort study illustrate a positive association between OC and a negative association between HRT and the development of HNC in female patients. Given the limitations of the TriNetX database, future research should include detailed information on the intake of OC and HRT and reproductive health information (eg, age at menarche/menopause, number of pregnancies) to more accurately define the strength and direction of the possible association between exogeneous estrogen exposure and the development of HNC in female patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Doll
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Elena Hofmann
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- BIH Biomedical Innovation Academy, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Robert Preissner
- Institute of Physiology and Science-IT, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt–Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Max Heiland
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ute Seeland
- Institute of Social Medicine, Epidemiology, and Health Economics, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Frank Konietschke
- Institute of Biometry and Clinical Epidemiology, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jalid Sehouli
- Department of Gynecology with Center of Oncological Surgery (CVK) and Department of Gynecology (CBF), Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt–Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Saskia Preissner
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Taavela K, Eriksson T, Huhtala H, Bly A, Harjula K, Heikkilä K, Hokkanen M, Nummela M, Kotaniemi-Talonen L, Lehtinen M, Louvanto K. The quality of life of frequently vs. infrequently screened HPV vaccinated women. Qual Life Res 2024; 33:941-949. [PMID: 38238599 PMCID: PMC10973058 DOI: 10.1007/s11136-023-03575-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Cervical lesions caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) are related to decreased quality of life (QoL) of women. Also, cervical cancer (CC) screening can cause psychological adverse effects. It has been assumed that by decreasing the HPV-related disease burden, HPV vaccinations would increase the QoL. This study compares the effect of CC screening on QoL of HPV vaccinated women in two different screening protocols. METHODS A total of 753 HPV16/18 vaccinated women were randomized to frequent (22/25/28 years of age) and infrequent (28 years of age) CC screening arms. QoL questionnaires (EQ VAS, RAND 36, amended CECA 10) were sent at the age of 28. RESULTS Median EQ VAS scores were 80 (Q1-Q3 75-90) in both screening arms. Mean RAND 36 scores of frequently and infrequently screened women were 78.13/81.64 in Physical role functioning domain and, respectively, 77.93/80.18 in Pain, 69.10/69.12 in General Health, 54.67/53.61 in Energy, 83.72/85.11 in Social functioning, 69.53/69.68 in Emotional role functioning, and 68.16/69.29 in Emotional well-being domain. Among women with a self-reported history of Pap cytology abnormalities, overall mean scores of amended CECA 10 were 69.52/72.07, and among women with a self-reported history of genital warts, 60.09/66.73, respectively. CONCLUSION There was no significant difference in the QoL of HPV vaccinated women between the two CC screening arms. Women were mostly satisfied with the screening experience despite the screening frequency. This information is important for the future screening program planning as we need to reach the best possible balance with screening benefits and harms. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT02149030, date of registration 29/5/2014.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaisa Taavela
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Arvo Ylpön Katu 34, 33014, Tampere, Finland
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | | | - Heini Huhtala
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Laura Kotaniemi-Talonen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Arvo Ylpön Katu 34, 33014, Tampere, Finland
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Matti Lehtinen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karolina Louvanto
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Arvo Ylpön Katu 34, 33014, Tampere, Finland.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.
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Sait KH, Anfinan NM, Sait HK, Basalamah HA. Human papillomavirus prevalence and dynamics: Insights from a 5-year population-based study in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Med J 2024; 45:252-260. [PMID: 38438209 PMCID: PMC11115394 DOI: 10.15537/smj.2024.45.3.20230824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To estimate the prevalence and dynamics of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, over a 5-year period, among Saudi women. METHODS A 2-phase, population-based study combining cross-sectional and cohort designs was carried out with 5360 ever-married women aged 30-65 from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between 2013 and 2018. Participants were enrolled in a designated screening program and screened using the hybrid capture 2 HPV test. Women testing positive for HPV were followed up after one year to estimate the HPV clearance rate, while those testing negative had a follow-up after 5 years to assess new HPV infections. Factors associated with HPV positivity and clearance, including sociodemographic and clinical aspects, were analyzed. RESULTS Participant's mean age was 44.3 and the average marriage duration was 22.6 years. The initial HPV prevalence was 4.7%. After one year, the HPV clearance rate among initially positive women was 84.3%. The rate of new HPV infections among initially negative women after 5 years was 0.2%, resulting in a cumulative HPV prevalence of 5% over the study period. The incidence rate was estimated at 47 per 100,000 person-years. Parity was the only independent factor inversely associated with HPV positivity, with an odds ratio of 0.93 (95% confidence interval: 0.8 - 0.99). CONCLUSION The prevalence of HPV in Saudi women was relatively low, suggesting a low transmission rate of HPV. This finding indicates the need for continuous monitoring and tailored prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalid H. Sait
- From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (K. Sait, Anfinan, H. Sait, Basalamah), Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; and from the Tom Baker Cancer Center (H. Sait), University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
| | - Nisreen M. Anfinan
- From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (K. Sait, Anfinan, H. Sait, Basalamah), Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; and from the Tom Baker Cancer Center (H. Sait), University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
| | - Hesham K. Sait
- From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (K. Sait, Anfinan, H. Sait, Basalamah), Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; and from the Tom Baker Cancer Center (H. Sait), University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
| | - Hussain A. Basalamah
- From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (K. Sait, Anfinan, H. Sait, Basalamah), Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; and from the Tom Baker Cancer Center (H. Sait), University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
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Villalobos NVF, Ruffieux Y, Haas AD, Chinogurei C, Cornell M, Taghavi K, Egger M, Folb N, Maartens G, Rohner E. Cervical precancer and cancer incidence among insured women with and without HIV in South Africa. Int J Cancer 2024; 154:273-283. [PMID: 37658695 PMCID: PMC10872811 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
HIV infection increases the risk of developing cervical cancer; however, longitudinal studies in sub-Saharan Africa comparing cervical cancer rates between women living with HIV (WLWH) and women without HIV are scarce. To address this gap, we compared cervical precancer and cancer incidence rates between WLWH and women without HIV in South Africa using reimbursement claims data from a medical insurance scheme from January 2011 to June 2020. We used Royston-Parmar flexible parametric survival models to estimate cervical precancer and cancer incidence rates as a continuous function of age, stratified by HIV status. Our study population consisted of 518 048 women, with exclusions based on the endpoint of interest. To analyse cervical cancer incidence, we included 517 312 women, of whom 564 developed cervical cancer. WLWH had an ~3-fold higher risk of developing cervical precancer and cancer than women without HIV (adjusted hazard ratio for cervical cancer: 2.99; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.40-3.73). For all endpoints of interest, the estimated incidence rates were higher in WLWH than women without HIV. Cervical cancer rates among WLWH increased at early ages and peaked at 49 years (122/100 000 person-years; 95% CI: 100-147), whereas, in women without HIV, incidence rates peaked at 56 years (40/100 000 person-years; 95% CI: 36-45). Cervical precancer rates peaked in women in their 30s. Analyses of age-specific cervical cancer rates by HIV status are essential to inform the design of targeted cervical cancer prevention policies in Southern Africa and other regions with a double burden of HIV and cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yann Ruffieux
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andreas D Haas
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Chido Chinogurei
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, School of Public Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Morna Cornell
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, School of Public Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Katayoun Taghavi
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Egger
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, School of Public Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | | | - Gary Maartens
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Eliane Rohner
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Bovo AC, Pedrão PG, Guimarães YM, Godoy LR, Resende JCP, Longatto-Filho A, Reis RD. Combined Oral Contraceptive Use and the Risk of Cervical Cancer: Literature Review. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE GINECOLOGIA E OBSTETRÍCIA 2023; 45:e818-e824. [PMID: 38141603 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1776403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer (CC) is caused by persistent infection of human papillomavirus of high oncogenic risk (hr-HPV); however, several cofactors are important in its carcinogenesis, such as smoking, multiparity, and prolonged use of oral hormonal contraceptives (COCs). Worldwide, 16% of women use COCs, whereas in Brazil this rate is of ∼ 30%. The safety and adverse effects of COCs are widely discussed in the literature, including the increase in carcinogenic risk. Due to the existence of several drugs, combinations, and dosages of COCs, it is hard to have uniform information in epidemiological studies. Our objective was to perform a narrative review on the role of COCs use in the carcinogenesis of cervical cancer. Several populational studies have suggested an increase in the incidence of cervical cancer for those who have used COCs for > 5 years, but other available studies reach controversial and contradictory results regarding the action of COCs in the development of CC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Adhemar Longatto-Filho
- Hospital do Câncer de Barretos, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil
- Faculdade de Medicia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Minho, Braga, Portugal
- Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
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Roman C, Andrade D, Hernández Y, Salazar ZK, Espinosa L, Campoverde E, Guallaizaca L, Merchán M, Sarmiento M, Brenner J. Biological, demographic, and health factors associated with HPV infection in Ecuadorian women. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1158270. [PMID: 37397749 PMCID: PMC10311495 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1158270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives The study aims to identify the correlation between human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and sociodemographic and sexual reproductive health factors in Ecuadorian women from March to August 2019. Methods 120 women were randomly selected from two gynecological clinics to complete a questionnaire and provide a biospecimen. PCR-Hybridization was used to genotype 37 HPV serotypes in samples obtained by endo-cervical brushing for liquid-based cytology. Sociodemographic and sexual health data were collected through a validated questionnaire during a medical consultation. Mathematical modeling of HPV infection was done using bivariate logistic regression. Results 65.0% of the women sampled had an HPV infection; 74.3% of these women had co-infections with other HPV genotypes. Out of the women who were HPV positive, 75.6% were diagnosed with high-risk genotypes from HPV strains 18, 35, 52, and 66. Parity, immunosuppression, and use of oral contraception/intrauterine devices (IUDs) were identified as associated variables. The explanatory model had a sensitivity of 89.5% and a specificity of 73.8%. Conclusion The predominant strains of HPV among Ecuadorian women are diverse. The risk of HPV infection is a complex phenomenon where biological and psychosocial variables are integrated into a model. In populations with limited access to health services, low socioeconomic status, and negative sociocultural beliefs about sexually transmitted infections (STIs), surveys can be used as a pre-screening step for HPV infections. The diagnostic value of the model should be tested in multicenter studies that include women from all over the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Roman
- Diagnostic Department, MEDsan, Inc., Saint Petersburg, FL, United States
| | - Diego Andrade
- Investigation Center for Health, Academic Unit of Health and Wellness, Catholic University of Cuenca (UCACUE), Cuenca, Ecuador
| | - Yenima Hernández
- Department of Mental Health, The Angels Mental Health Community, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Zoila K. Salazar
- Investigation Center for Health, Academic Unit of Health and Wellness, Catholic University of Cuenca (UCACUE), Cuenca, Ecuador
- Medical Center Association for the Well-being of the Ecuadorian Family (APROFE), Cuenca, Ecuador
| | - Lizette Espinosa
- Investigation Center for Health, Academic Unit of Health and Wellness, Catholic University of Cuenca (UCACUE), Cuenca, Ecuador
| | - Erika Campoverde
- Investigation Center for Health, Academic Unit of Health and Wellness, Catholic University of Cuenca (UCACUE), Cuenca, Ecuador
| | - Lourdes Guallaizaca
- Investigation Center for Health, Academic Unit of Health and Wellness, Catholic University of Cuenca (UCACUE), Cuenca, Ecuador
| | - María Merchán
- Investigation Center for Health, Academic Unit of Health and Wellness, Catholic University of Cuenca (UCACUE), Cuenca, Ecuador
| | - Miriam Sarmiento
- Obstetrics Department, San Juan de Dios Hospital, Cuenca, Ecuador
| | - Jonathan Brenner
- Diagnostic Department, MEDsan, Inc., Saint Petersburg, FL, United States
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Choi S, Ismail A, Pappas-Gogos G, Boussios S. HPV and Cervical Cancer: A Review of Epidemiology and Screening Uptake in the UK. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12020298. [PMID: 36839570 PMCID: PMC9960303 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common malignancy in females worldwide, and a leading cause of death in the United Kingdom (UK). The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the strongest risk factor for developing cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cancer. Across the UK, the national HPV immunisation programme, introduced in 2008, has been successful in protecting against HPV-related infections. Furthermore, the National Health Service (NHS) implemented the cytology-based cervical cancer screening service to all females aged 25 to 64, which has observed a decline in cervical cancer incidence. In the UK, there has been an overall decline in age-appropriate coverage since April 2010. In 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted NHS cancer screening and immunisation programmes, leading to a 6.8% decreased uptake of cervical cancer screening from the previous year. Engagement with screening has also been associated with social deprivation. In England, incidence rates of cervical cancer were reported to be 65% higher in the most deprived areas compared to the least, with lifestyle factors such as cigarette consumption contributing to 21% of cervical cancer cases. In this article, we provide an update on the epidemiology of cervical cancer, and HPV pathogenesis and transmission, along with the current prevention programmes within the NHS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunyoung Choi
- GKT School of Medicine, King’s College London, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Ayden Ismail
- GKT School of Medicine, King’s College London, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - George Pappas-Gogos
- Department of General Surgery, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, 6th Kilometer, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Stergios Boussios
- Department of Medical Oncology, Medway NHS Foundation Trust, Windmill Road, Kent, Gillingham ME7 5NY, UK
- Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, London SE1 9RT, UK
- Kent Medway Medical School, University of Kent, Kent, Canterbury CT2 7LX, UK
- AELIA Organization, 9th Km Thessaloniki—Thermi, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Correspondence: or or or
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Hewavisenti RV, Arena J, Ahlenstiel CL, Sasson SC. Human papillomavirus in the setting of immunodeficiency: Pathogenesis and the emergence of next-generation therapies to reduce the high associated cancer risk. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1112513. [PMID: 36960048 PMCID: PMC10027931 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1112513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV), a common sexually transmitted virus infecting mucosal or cutaneous stratified epithelia, is implicated in the rising of associated cancers worldwide. While HPV infection can be cleared by an adequate immune response, immunocompromised individuals can develop persistent, treatment-refractory, and progressive disease. Primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) associated with HPV-related disease include inborn errors of GATA, EVER1/2, and CXCR4 mutations, resulting in defective cellular function. People living with secondary immunodeficiency (e.g. solid-organ transplants recipients of immunosuppression) and acquired immunodeficiency (e.g. concurrent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection) are also at significant risk of HPV-related disease. Immunocompromised people are highly susceptible to the development of cutaneous and mucosal warts, and cervical, anogenital and oropharyngeal carcinomas. The specific mechanisms underlying high-risk HPV-driven cancer development in immunocompromised hosts are not well understood. Current treatments for HPV-related cancers include surgery with adjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, with clinical trials underway to investigate the use of anti-PD-1 therapy. In the setting of HIV co-infection, persistent high-grade anal intraepithelial neoplasia can occur despite suppressive antiretroviral therapy, resulting in an ongoing risk for transformation to overt malignancy. Although therapeutic vaccines against HPV are under development, the efficacy of these in the setting of PID, secondary- or acquired- immunodeficiencies remains unclear. RNA-based therapeutic targeting of the HPV genome or mRNA transcript has become a promising next-generation therapeutic avenue. In this review, we summarise the current understanding of HPV pathogenesis, immune evasion, and malignant transformation, with a focus on key PIDs, secondary immunodeficiencies, and HIV infection. Current management and vaccine regimes are outlined in relation to HPV-driven cancer, and specifically, the need for more effective therapeutic strategies for immunocompromised hosts. The recent advances in RNA-based gene targeting including CRISPR and short interfering RNA (siRNA), and the potential application to HPV infection are of great interest. An increased understanding of both the dysregulated immune responses in immunocompromised hosts and of viral persistence is essential for the design of next-generation therapies to eliminate HPV persistence and cancer development in the most at-risk populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rehana V. Hewavisenti
- Immunovirology and Pathogenesis Program, The Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Joshua Arena
- Immunovirology and Pathogenesis Program, The Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- UNSW RNA Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Chantelle L. Ahlenstiel
- Immunovirology and Pathogenesis Program, The Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- UNSW RNA Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sarah C. Sasson
- Immunovirology and Pathogenesis Program, The Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Sarah C. Sasson,
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