News on Cervical and Oral HPV Lesions as well as a Possible New Treatment

HPV (human papilloma virus) can cause abnormal growths and even cancer of the cervix and anus. Because they have weakened immune systems, people living with HIV/AIDS are at high risk for the development of cervical and anal cancers.

Researchers in Rochester conducted a study on 178 HIV-positive women to assess the impact of HAART (highly active antiretroviral therapy) on HPV-related complications. About 28% of women had abnormal growths on their cervix and 9% had growths that were pre-cancerous. The researchers found that women with viral loads above the 10,000 copy mark were more likely to have abnormal Pap smears than women with lower viral loads. Compared to data collected before 1997, the use of HAART appears to have reduced the appearance of cervical lesions by about 50%. (Abstract 66)

Oral HPV lesions on the increase

Although abnormal cervical lesions may be on the decline in women who use HAART, the number of cases of abnormal oral HPV lesions appears to be increasing. Doctors in Atlanta who have been monitoring the oral health of PHAs over the past three years have found that the number of PHAs with oral HPV lesions almost doubled in 1999. In addition, cases of oral HPV were observed in people with HPV lesions in the rectum as well as in people with a relatively low viral load (fewer than 400 copies). According to the researchers, cases of oral HPV are not "rare" and appear to be increasing in number. It will be interesting to see if other clinics are observing a similar trend. (Abstract 67)

Will cidofovir be useful against HPV lesions?

Initially developed as an anti-CMV drug, cidofovir (Vistide) has also been found to be helpful when used against the brain infection PML (progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy) and, more recently, mollusca lesions on the skin. Now a group of researchers in Belgium have found that cidofovir destroys HPV-infected cells by causing them to self-destruct. Expect to see more reports in the future about this use of cidofovir. (Abstract 68)

From Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE). For more information visit CATIE's Information Network at http://www.catie.ca.