The East Africa Consortium for human papillomavirus and cervical cancer in women living with HIV/AIDS

Abstract

The East Africa Consortium was formed to study the epidemiology of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and cervical cancer and the influence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection on HPV and cervical cancer, and to encourage collaborations between researchers in North America and East African countries. To date, studies have led to a better understanding of the influence of HIV infection on the detection and persistence of oncogenic HPV, the effects of dietary aflatoxin on the persistence of HPV, the benefits of antiretroviral therapy on HPV persistence, and the differences in HPV detections among HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected women undergoing treatment for cervical dysplasia by either cryotherapy or LEEP. It will now be determined how HPV testing fits into cervical cancer screening programs in Kenya and Uganda, how aflatoxin influences immunological control of HIV, how HPV alters certain genes involved in the growth of tumours in HIV-infected women. Although there have been challenges in performing this research, with time, this work should help to reduce the burden of cervical cancer and other cancers related to HIV infection in people living in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as optimized processes to better facilitate research as well as patient autonomy and safety. KEY MESSAGES The East Africa Consortium was formed to study the epidemiology of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and cervical cancer and the influence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection on HPV and cervical cancer. Collaborations have been established between researchers in North America and East African countries for these studies. Studies have led to a better understanding of the influence of HIV infection on the detection and persistence of oncogenic HPV, the effects of dietary aflatoxin on HPV detection, the benefits of antiretroviral therapy on HPV persistence, and the differences in HPV detections among HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected women undergoing treatment for cervical dysplasia by either cryotherapy or LEEP.

Association of plasma aflatoxin with persistent detection of oncogenic human papillomaviruses in cervical samples from Kenyan women enrolled in a longitudinal study

“…Kenyan women were enrolled from September 2015 to October 2016 at the Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH) Cervical Cancer Screening Program (CCSP) at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya [ 16 ]. They were participants in a prospective cohort study investigating biological, behavioral, and environmental risk factors for oncogenic HPV persistence, a part of the East African Consortium for Human Papillomavirus and Cervical Cancer in Women Living with HIV/AIDS [ 16 ]. Details of study enrollment procedures have been previously published [ 11 ].…”

Essential Oils in Cervical Cancer: Narrative Review on Current Insights and Future Prospects

“…The primary immune response to HPV infection involves the activation of cells. Thus, individuals with conditions that weaken cell-mediated immunity, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease or having undergone renal transplantation, have an elevated risk of acquiring and progressing HPV infection [15]. Additionally, Chlamydia trachomatis infection was reported to be significantly associated with the development of cervical cancer associated with an HPV infection [16].…”