Press Release: Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy Associated With Cervical Abnormality Regression in HIV-Positive Women

Extract

Among women infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a combination of antiretroviral drugs that helps boost the immune system is associated with the regression of a type of cervical abnormality that can eventually lead to cancer, according to a study in the July 21 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

HIV infection is associated with an increased risk of abnormalities in the cervix called squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL). In healthy women, the low-grade form of this type of abnormality often disappears on its own without treatment. Also, women who are HIV-positive are at an increased risk of infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), which are known to cause cervical cancer and its precursor lesions.

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is a combination of several antiretroviral drugs that reduces the number of HIV particles in the bloodstream and helps boost immune system function. However, it is unclear whether the boost in immune status afforded by HAART improves the regression rates of SIL.