Clinical characteristics of cervical cancer in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus

   Background. Infection caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a slowly developing anthroponosis with a long course and a variety of clinical manifestations, which finally results in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Over the past 4 decades, the HIV / AIDS pandemic has been considered as one of the world’s most serious public health problems. Globally, there were approximately 38 million people living with HIV in 2022; 53 % of them were women. The number of HIV-infected patients living in Russia reaches 1,168,000. The incidence and prevalence of HIV infection
varies across different regions of Russia. High prevalence of cervical cancer usually correlates with HIV prevalence, which is associated with the long-term and aggressive persistence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in HIV patients. HIV co-infection is believed to be the main risk factor for HPV-related precancerous lesions to the cervical epithelium and their rapid progression to invasive cancer.

   Aim. To analyze risk factors for poor prognosis in HIV-infected patients with HPV.

   Materials and methods. This study included 15 HIV-infected patients with cervical cancer treated in Novosibirsk Regional Clinical Oncology Dispensary or Federal Research and Clinical Center for Specialized Medical Care and Medical Technologies, Federal Biomedical Agency of Russia between 2016 and 2021.

   Results. Median age of the patients was 38 years; all of them were HPV-positive. Their viral load was >400 copies / mL and baseline CD4+ cell count ≥350 cells / mL. All patients were diagnosed with AIDS, given the presence of HPV infection. During the therapy for cervical cancer, patients also received combination antiretroviral treatment, including Lamivudine Advanced at a dose of 300 mg / day. Ten patients received comprehensive treatment, while 8 patients received chemoradiotherapy.

   Conclusion. Given the more aggressive course of cervical cancer in HIV-infected patients, their treatment plan should be developed by a multidisciplinary team, including an infectious disease specialist, clinical pharmacologist, radiotherapist, and gynecological oncologist. Such patients should receive maximal antitumor treatment, as well as intensive antiretroviral therapy. HIV-positive women with cervical cancer require special attention to ensure treatment completion and to optimize long-term outcomes.