Malignancies in HIV-Infected and AIDS Patients

Abstract

Currently, HIV infection and AIDS are still one of the most important epidemic diseases around the world. As early in the initial stage of HIV epidemic, the high incidence of ADCs including Kaposi sarcoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was the substantial amount of disease burden of HIV infection and AIDS. With the increasing accessibility of HAART and improving medical care for HIV infection and AIDS, AIDS-related illness including ADCs has dramatically decreased. Meanwhile, the incidence of NADCs rises in PLWH. Compared with the general population, most of cancers are more likely to attack PLWH, and NADCs in PLWH were characterized as earlier onset and more aggressive. However, the understanding for cancer development in PLWH is still dimness. Herein, we reviewed the current knowledge of epidemiology and pathogenesis for malignancies in PLWH summarized from recent studies. On the basis of that, we discussed the special considerations for cancer treatment in PLWH. As those malignancies could be the major issue for HIV infection or AIDS in the future, we expect enhanced investigations, surveillances, and clinical trial for improving the understanding and management for cancers developed in PLWH.

Keywords: AIDS; Cancer; HIV; Malignancy.