Human papillomavirus-related cervical and anal disease in HIV-infected individuals in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy.

HIV-infected men who have sex with men remain at high risk of developing anal cancer despite the widespread use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). In HIV-infected women, however, there is some evidence that HAART may be associated with regression of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cervical disease. So far, epidemiologic data provided by cancer registries have shown no reduction in the incidence of cervical and anal cancer in patients with HIV infection since the initiation of HAART in 1996. Recent data suggest that HPV infection occurs in the anal canal of immunocompromised patients, as an opportunistic infection, in the absence of receptive anal intercourse. Taken together, these lines of evidence support the need for developing anal and cervical cancer screening programs for patients with HIV, whether untreated or on HAART.