For providing data for the HIV/AIDS Cancer Match Study, the authors thank the HIV/AIDS and cancer registry staff in the states of Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, and Texas; and the metropolitan areas of New York, New York; Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco, California; Seattle, Washington; and Washington, DC. We also thank Tim McNeel (Information Management Systems) for database management.
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Original Article
Increased risk of histologically defined cancer subtypes in human immunodeficiency virus–infected individuals†
Clues for possible immunosuppression-related or infectious etiology
Article first published online: 22 FEB 2012
DOI: 10.1002/cncr.27454
Copyright © 2012 American Cancer Society
Additional Information
How to Cite
Shiels, M. S. and Engels, E. A. (2012), Increased risk of histologically defined cancer subtypes in human immunodeficiency virus–infected individuals. Cancer, 118: 4869–4876. doi: 10.1002/cncr.27454
- †
Publication History
- Issue published online: 19 SEP 2012
- Article first published online: 22 FEB 2012
- Manuscript Accepted: 29 DEC 2011
- Manuscript Revised: 9 NOV 2011
- Manuscript Received: 5 SEP 2011
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- human immunodeficiency virus;
- immunosuppression;
- infection;
- cancer
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Malignancies that occur in excess among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals may be caused by immunosuppression or infections. Because histologically defined cancer subtypes have not been systematically evaluated, their risk was assessed among people with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
METHODS:
Analyses included 569,268 people with AIDS from the HIV/AIDS Cancer Match Study, a linkage of 15 US population-based HIV/AIDS and cancer registries during 1980 to 2007. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were estimated to compare cancer risk in people with AIDS to the general population overall, and stratified by age, calendar period (a proxy of changing HIV therapies), and time since onset of AIDS (a proxy of immunosuppression).
RESULTS:
Sixteen individual cancer histologies or histology groupings manifested significantly elevated SIRs. Risks were most elevated for adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (SIR = 11.3), neoplasms of histiocytes and accessory lymphoid cells (SIR = 10.7), giant cell carcinoma (SIR = 7.51), and leukemia not otherwise specified (SIR = 6.69). SIRs ranged from 1.4 to 4.6 for spindle cell carcinoma, bronchioloalveolar adenocarcinoma, adnexal and skin appendage neoplasms, sarcoma not otherwise specified, spindle cell sarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, mesothelioma, germ cell tumors, plasma cell tumors, immunoproliferative diseases, acute lymphocytic leukemia, and myeloid leukemias. For several of these cancer subtypes, significant declines in SIRs were observed across calendar periods (consistent with decreasing risk with improved HIV therapies) or increase in SIRs with time since onset of AIDS (ie, prolonged immunosuppression).
CONCLUSIONS:
The elevated risk of certain cancer subtypes in people with AIDS may point to an etiologic role of immunosuppression or infection. Future studies are needed to further investigate these associations and evaluate candidate infectious agents. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.