Study Suggests Higher CD4 Counts Reduce Risk Of HIV-Induced Cancer
A recent study published by The Lancet Oncology found that higher CD4 counts in HIV-infected patients were associated with lower risk of developing several cancers.
Though HIV infection is a known forerunner of certain types of cancer, possible risk factors such as low CD4 count, high viral load, or antiretroviral therapy (ART) have not been well studied.
Due to their weakened immune systems, 30 to 40 percent of HIV-positive individuals will be diagnosed with cancer. Some cancer types are so prevalent among the HIV-infected population that they are called “AIDS-defining.”
Cancers in this category include Kaposi’s sarcoma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and cervical cancer.
Common non-AIDS-defining cancers include Hodgkin’s lymphoma, lung cancer, liver cancer, and anal cancer. Both AIDS-defining and non-AIDS-defining cancers are observed at higher frequencies in individuals infected with HIV.
In this study, researchers found that the earlier an individual is diagnosed with HIV infection and begins treatment, the greater the chances of preventing cancer. In particular, high CD4 counts were associated with reduced rates of all cancers studied except anal cancer.
Scientists gathered data from over 50,000 HIV-positive individuals in France. They examined the effects of ART, CD4 cell count, and HIV viral load on the risk of developing these seven cancer types, and found that all were impacted by one or more of these factors.
Low CD4 counts were associated with the greatest risk of cancer, while high viral load (greater than 100,000 copies/mL) also correlated to higher risk for Kaposi’s sarcoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. ART was found to decrease risk of Kaposi’s sarcoma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and cervical cancer.
Overall, researchers concluded that ART achieves maximum effectiveness when it keeps a patient’s CD4 cell count over 500 cells/mL. Such a number can best be achieved through quick diagnosis and administration of treatment.
The results also point to a need for regular cancer-screening programs in HIV-infected patients.
For more information, please see the study in The Lancet Oncology (abstract).
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