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Current Understanding and Potential Immunotherapy for HIV-Associated Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Anus (SCCA)

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Abstract

Squamous cell carcinoma of the anus (SCCA) is a rare disease in the average population but is an increasing concern among immunocompromised individuals, such as the HIV-seropositive. Coinfection with human papillomavirus (HPV) in this population is common. HPV infection is difficult to clear with a compromised immune system, which results in a greater risk of tumor development and a more aggressive progression of the disease. The recent approval of a prophylactic HPV vaccine for cervical cancer has sparked an interest in a search for improved immunotherapeutic multimodality therapies to combat anogenital tumors associated with the virus. In this review, we discuss the known mechanisms of action of HIV-associated SCCA, examine the current treatments for the disease, and focus on the potential of an immunotherapeutic vaccine approach for both prophylactic and therapeutic application.

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  1. Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy, Molecular Surgeon Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Mail stop: BCM390, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Christian Marin-Muller, Min Li, Changyi Chen & Qizhi Yao

  2. Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA

    Christian Marin-Muller & Qizhi Yao

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  1. Christian Marin-Muller
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  2. Min Li
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Correspondence to Qizhi Yao.

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Marin-Muller, C., Li, M., Chen, C. et al. Current Understanding and Potential Immunotherapy for HIV-Associated Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Anus (SCCA). World J Surg 33, 653–660 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-008-9835-y

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