Effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy on the natural history of anal squamous intraepithelial lesions and anal human papillomavirus infection

J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2001 Dec 15;28(5):422-8. doi: 10.1097/00042560-200112150-00003.

Abstract

The effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on the natural history of anal squamous intraepithelial lesions (ASIL)-the likely anal cancer precursor-and anal human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is unknown. ASIL severity and level of anal HPV DNA were evaluated among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) for at least 6 months before initiation of HAART. The results were compared with those from a 6-month period after initiation of HAART. Anal swabs for cytology and HPV studies were obtained, followed by high-resolution anoscopy and biopsy. Among men whose most severe pre-HAART diagnosis was atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance or low-grade ASIL, 18% (confidence interval [CI], 6-31%, 7 of 38) progressed and 21% (CI, 8-34%, 8 of 38) regressed 6 months after starting HAART. Seventeen percent (CI, 0-38%, 2 of 12) of study subjects who began with a normal diagnosis developed ASIL. Only 4% (CI, 0-10%, 1 of 28) of study subjects with high-grade ASIL regressed to normal. There was no reduction in the proportion of study subjects who tested positive for HPV DNA or HPV DNA levels after HAART initiation. The ASIL and HPV data were similar to those of the pre-HAART comparison period. These results indicate that HAART has little effect on either ASIL or HPV in the first 6 months after HAART initiation.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anal Canal / pathology
  • Anal Canal / virology
  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
  • Anus Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Anus Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cohort Studies
  • Homosexuality, Male
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms, Squamous Cell / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Papillomaviridae*
  • Papillomavirus Infections / drug therapy*
  • Papillomavirus Infections / pathology

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents