HIV therapy helps close cervical cancer survival gap

A new study published in JAMA Network Open offers encouraging news for women living with HIV who are diagnosed with cervical cancer. Researchers found that when women adhere to modern HIV treatment, their survival outcomes following a cervical cancer diagnosis are comparable to those seen in the general population. 

To better understand survival trends, researchers went beyond large database summaries and instead analyzed detailed patient charts. This record-level review captured both the cancer therapies women received and whether they were consistently taking HIV medication, offering a more nuanced picture of real-world care and outcomes.  

“This study was prompted by the observation that prior national studies of cancer outcomes for women with HIV and cervical cancer have primarily used cancer registry data that lacked treatment detail and information on HIV therapy,” said Anna Coghill, PhD, an epidemiologist at Moffitt Cancer Center and co-author of the study. “This collaboration utilized a retrospective review of medical records to fill these gaps by detailing cervical cancer treatment receipt and use of HIV therapy.” 

The HAART Era and Shifting Expectations 

Historically, women living with HIV experienced worse outcomes after a cervical cancer diagnosis, with higher mortality rates and treatment challenges reported in the pre-HAART era. HAART, or highly active antiretroviral therapy, became widely available in the mid-1990s and has since transformed HIV into a manageable chronic condition. 

“Our findings indicate that women with HIV who are adherent to HAART can achieve outcomes after a cervical cancer diagnosis that are comparable to the general oncology population in the U.S.,” Coghill said. “Historically, comparisons of cervical cancer outcomes by HIV status were registry-based and therefore unable to account for HAART use. Given the current HIV treatment guidelines that recommend HAART for all people living with HIV, regardless of CD4+ T-cell count, we might expect that survival for women with cervical cancer will become more comparable by HIV status in the coming years.” 

Coordinating Oncology and HIV Care 

The results highlight the importance of collaboration between cancer specialists and HIV care providers. Making sure that women stick with their HIV therapy throughout cancer treatment is a key factor in improving outcomes. 

“These data emphasize the need to one, know their cancer patient’s HIV status and two, ensure seamless coordination with the patient’s infectious disease care team to ensure adherence to HAART and continued immune reconstitution,” Coghill said.   

Looking Ahead 

Cervical cancer remains one of the most common cancers among women living with HIV, particularly in low-resource areas. The study’s findings highlight the potential for improved survival in the United States when modern HIV therapy is fully integrated into cancer care. 

Researchers stress that ongoing efforts to expand access to HIV treatment, screening and cancer care is vital to making sure that all women living with HIV can benefit from these advances.