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Observational Study
. 2019 Aug 16;69(5):829-835.
doi: 10.1093/cid/ciy960.

High Cancer Burden Among Antiretroviral Therapy Users in Malawi: A Record Linkage Study of Observational Human Immunodeficiency Virus Cohorts and Cancer Registry Data

Marie-Josèphe Horner  1   2 , Steady Chasimpha  3 , Adrian Spoerri  4 , Jessie Edwards  1 , Julia Bohlius  4 , Hannock Tweya  5 , Petros Tembo  5 , Franklin Nkhambule  6 , Eddie Moffo Phiri  6 , William C Miller  7 , Kennedy Malisita  6 , Sam Phiri  5   8   9 , Charles Dzamalala  3   10 , Andrew F Olshan  1   11 , Satish Gopal  1   2   10   11   12   13
Affiliations
Observational Study

High Cancer Burden Among Antiretroviral Therapy Users in Malawi: A Record Linkage Study of Observational Human Immunodeficiency Virus Cohorts and Cancer Registry Data

Marie-Josèphe Horner et al. Clin Infect Dis. .

Abstract

Background: With antiretroviral therapy (ART), AIDS-defining cancer incidence has declined and non-AIDS-defining cancers (NADCs) are now more frequent among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected populations in high-income countries. In sub-Saharan Africa, limited epidemiological data describe cancer burden among ART users.

Methods: We used probabilistic algorithms to link cases from the population-based cancer registry with electronic medical records supporting ART delivery in Malawi's 2 largest HIV cohorts from 2000-2010. Age-adjusted cancer incidence rates (IRs) and 95% confidence intervals were estimated by cancer site, early vs late incidence periods (4-24 and >24 months after ART start), and World Health Organization (WHO) stage among naive ART initiators enrolled for at least 90 days.

Results: We identified 4346 cancers among 28 576 persons. Most people initiated ART at advanced WHO stages 3 or 4 (60%); 12% of patients had prevalent malignancies at ART initiation, which were predominantly AIDS-defining eligibility criteria for initiating ART. Kaposi sarcoma (KS) had the highest IR (634.7 per 100 000 person-years) followed by cervical cancer (36.6). KS incidence was highest during the early period 4-24 months after ART initiation. NADCs accounted for 6% of new cancers.

Conclusions: Under historical ART guidelines, NADCs were observed at low rates and were eclipsed by high KS and cervical cancer burden. Cancer burden among Malawian ART users does not yet mirror that in high-income countries. Integrated cancer screening and management in HIV clinics, especially for KS and cervical cancer, remain important priorities in the current Malawi context.

Keywords: Africa; HIV; antiretroviral therapy; cancer.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Age-adjusted cancer incidence rates among new antiretroviral therapy users in Malawi, 2000–2010. Abbreviation: NOS, not otherwise specified.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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