Studies of HIV infection and its contribution to the natural history and outcome

Division Of Cancer Epidemiology And Genetics

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

People living with HIV have an elevated incidence of cancer due to a complicated range of issues related to AIDS-related immunosuppression, chronic inflammation, infection with oncogenic viruses, behavior factors including tobacco smoking, and poor socioeconomic status. Examples of important cancer-causing viruses include human papillomavirus (HPV), Epstein-Barr virus, Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, and hepatitis viruses B and C. Studies of these factors in people living with HIV can contribute to understanding their role in other immunosuppressed individuals and in the general population. Many of these factors also contribute to poor access to treatment and disparities in outcomes following a cancer diagnosis. As people with HIV infection live longer with better antiretroviral therapies, they are aging, which is contributing to an increase in the burden of chronic diseases including cancer. There is a major need to develop improved cancer prevention, screening, and treatment for people living with HIV. This project includes multiple studies of cancer in people living with HIV.