Amsterdam UMC and Radboud UMC researchers discovered that people living with HIV that were screened for anal cancer precursors were more likely to be diagnosed with anal cancer. This diagnosis occured at an earlier disease stage than unscreened individuals, resulting in better survival.
This study, using data from the Dutch nationwide ATHENA cohort database of adults with HIV in care (Stichting HIV Monitor, SHM), found high and increasing trends in anal cancer incidence in people living with HIV. The Amsterdam UMC and Radboud UMC researchers hypothesized that the introduction of screening for anal cancer precursors would have a favorable effect on the burden of anal cancer in this risk group.
Health-care professionals should be aware of the rising incidence of anal cancer in men and women with HIV. This study was the first to show that individuals with HIV who were screened for anal cancer precursors were more likely to be diagnosed with anal cancer but at an earlier disease stage than unscreened individuals, resulting in better survival. This is an important justification for screening individuals living with HIV who are at greatest risk of developing anal cancer.
Researchers involved at Amsterdam UMC:
Ramon P van der Zee, researcher at dept. of Infectious Diseases at Amsterdam UMC
Ferdinand W N M Wit, physician and senior researcher at dept. of Infectious Diseases at Amsterdam UMC/ Stichting hiv monitoring (SHM)
Marc van der Valk, professor of Medicine at Amsterdam UMC/ Stichting hiv monitoring (SHM)
Peter Reiss, professor of Medicine at Amsterdam UMC, Stichting hiv monitoring (SHM)
Henry J C de Vries, professor of Dermatology at Amsterdam UMC
Jan M Prins, professor of Medicine at Amsterdam UMC
For more information, contact Jan Prins or read the scientific publication.
van der Zee, R. P., Wit, F. W., Richel, O., van der Valk, M., Reiss, P., de Vries, H. J., & Prins, J. M. (2023). Effect of the introduction of screening for cancer precursor lesions on anal cancer incidence over time in people living with HIV: a nationwide cohort study. The Lancet HIV. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-3018(22)00368-X
Funding: No specific funding was granted for this research project. The ATHENA cohort database is maintained by Stichting hiv monitoring (SHM) and financed by the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport throughthe Centre for Infectious Disease Control of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment.
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