ROMA (ITALPRESS) – Today, people with HIV, who regularly and correctly perform anti-retroviral therapy have a life expectancy substantially superimposed to that of the general population. But, with ageing, they also become more exposed to the risk of chronic-degenerative diseases and tumors. And this brings out new needs, which concern the scope of oncologic screening, prevention (vaccinal and through lifestyles) and access to innovative oncologic treatments. Complex topics that were addressed during the conference “HIV and carcino in 2026: equity, innovation and dear networks”, scheduled in Rome on Tuesday, June 9 at the Congress Centre Europe of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart. “HIV today thanks to anti-retroviral therapies has become a chronic pathology – says Dr. Antonella Cingolani, researcher in Infectious Diseases of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, responsible for the UOS Diagnosis and care of infectious diseases from immuno-deficit and nosocomiali of Fondazione Policlinico Agostino Gemelli IRCCS -. And, within the comorbidities related to ageing, oncological pathologies play a fundamental role.”.
As evidenced by the data of the ICONA cohort (national cohort of “20 thousand people with HIV (PWH) followed longitudinally since 1997) in Italy the overall incidence of cancer in the PWH is 60% higher than the general population, with more relevant excesses for Kaposi sarcoma, anal carcinoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, the carcinoma of the uterine and nonuterine cervix. In addition, over time, there has been a change in the oncological profile, with the appearance of an increasing proportion of non-virus-relate neoplasms (such as lung or colon cancer). “And it is not only a problem of incidence, but also of mortality – continues Dr. Cingolani -. Also in the ICONA cohort a crude rate of oncological mortality of 2,63 for 1,000 years-person in the PWH, more than double than expected in the general population and such excess of mortality is mainly supported by virus-related neoplasms. Even if the excess of mortality for all tumors has been reduced over the years, it remains higher than expected even in the 2019-2024′′′ period. Among the fundamental problems of oncological pathology in people living with HIV must avoid diagnostic delay compared to the general population.
“This is related to the fact that the population with HIV accesses for less than half of the population, oncologic screening and carries out less vaccinations that can prevent certain oncological pathologies, such as that against HBV, which protects from liver cancer or that against papillomavirus (HPV), which protects from cervix carcinoma and peniene and anal carcinoma – explains Dr. Cingolani – The other penalizing aspect is that even when the tumor is diagnosed early, people with HIV often have less access to standard and innovative oncological therapies. ”
“It is necessary to avoid any cultural bias, both from the oncologists and the infectious, who believe that these people have an increased risk of toxicity from the therapies and a less therapeutic response to the treatment standards – says Professor Carlo Torti, Ordinary of Infectious Diseases, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart and Director of the UOC of Infectious Diseases of Fondazione Policlinico Agostino Gemelli IRCCS. This is a fake news to be absolutely discarded. In fact, HIV patients respond very well to oncological therapies, of course when HIV infection is well controlled viro-immunologically. But to avoid this prejudice it is necessary to network and create an awareness that people living with HIV must have guaranteed the same opportunities for treatment of the general population.”.
If HIV infection is well controlled, then, these people can be successfully subjected to innovative therapies, such as immunotherapeutic treatments and this is with proper immunotherapy, or even with CAR-T. “In collaboration with Italian onco-ematologist colleagues, we are gathering data from the first patients with HIV and non-hodgkin relapsed or refractory, treated with CAR-T in Italy – Dr. Cingolani reveals – especially to give a national sign that these therapies are safe and feasible in people with HIV”. Precisely for information and awareness among specialists of different disciplines was organized the event ‘HIV and carcino in 2026: equity, innovation an dear networks’, which was held at the Congress Centre Europe of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart.. “It is a multidisciplinary event that will bring together infectious, oncologists, oncologists, oncologists, radiotherapists and the community of people with HIV. It is the first congress of this kind organized in Italy – says Professor Torti -.” After a focus on HIV comorbidities and on the importance of oncological load in this population (Lene Ryom, Copenhagen HIV Program), we talk about new therapies related to the immune system (Michele Maio, Siena), the access of patients with HIV to innovative therapies and the experience of Britain (Alessia Della Pria, London).
The individual aspects of oncological therapy are therefore addressed, both from a viewpoint of clinical cases and review of experts, screening, specific therapies, immunomodulation induced by radiotherapy. At the end of the work a round table will take part in clinical centers, AIFA, scientific society (Simit, Aiom, Airo, Fil), Airc, Lila. “At the end of the event – concludes Dr. Cingolani – participants will put on the ground a shared Call to Action, aimed at promoting equity in oncological assistance for people living with HIV. The document will synthesize the main gaps, priorities and solutions that emerged during the day, including early access to diagnosis and care, strengthening clinical networks, integrating HIV-oncology paths and active community involvement. The goal is to define concrete and measurable commitments to ensure that all people living with HIV can achieve optimal and not less oncologic outcomes than those of the general population.”.
– photo press office Catholic University –
(ITALPRESS).
